Care of the shrub Hakea petiolaris or Sea-urchin Hakea |
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The genus Hakea, family Proteaceae, comprises 150 species of trees and shrubs native to Australia. Some species are: Hakea petiolaris, Hakea orthorrhyncha, Hakea leucoptera, Hakea laurina, Hakea cristata, Hakea bucculenta, Hakea aculeata, Hakea prostrata, Hakea recurva, Hakea nitida. Common name: Sea-urchin Hakea. This species is native to Western Australia. They are large shrubs or small trees that reach 9 meters (29.52 feet) in height. The leaves are leathery, greyish green in color, have well-marked veins and an oval-heart-shaped shape with a pointed apex. The showy and curious flowers appear in groups of pink or purple and look like sea urchins. They can bloom from fall to spring. They are used as windbreaks, screens, as isolated specimens and in public streets and parks. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens. They are also used as cut flowers for floral decorations. Hakea petiolaris needs full sun exposure and a warm climate. They resist frosts down to -8 ºC (17.6 ºF). The soil must be very well drained and better if it is calcareous. They are very resistant to drought plants. Always water moderately, waiting for the substrate to dry. They do not need fertilizers or pruning. They are plants resistant to pests but sensitive to excess moisture. They propagate by seeds sown in spring in small individual pots in a mixture of perlite and damp peat; they germinate in 1-3 months. |
Images of the shrub Hakea petiolaris or Sea-urchin Hakea |
 Hakea petiolaris  Hakea petiolaris  Hakea petiolaris |