Banksia blechnifolia

Common Name:
Southern blechnum banksia

Description:
Banksia blechnifolia is a low‑growing, prostrate shrub native to southern Western Australia, prized for its striking fern‑like foliage and vibrant cylindrical flower spikes. Its rusty new growth and upright leathery leaves (25–45 cm long with deep lobes) add year‑round texture and colour. In spring (September–November), the plant produces 6–20 cm high flower candles in shades of red‑brown, salmon, orange or cream that mature to grey and form up to 25 woody seed pods. Thriving in well‑drained sandy or light soils under full sun or part shade, it’s adapted to dry conditions, occasional frost, and regenerates from seed after fire—an ideal rockery or groundcover specimen.

Form:

• Shrub – Clumping / Grass‑like / Mounding

Mature Size:

• Height: 0.3–0.7 m

• Width (Spread): 2–4 m

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:

• Red‑brown

• Salmon

• Cream

• Orange

Key Attributes:

• Suitable for Pots

• Australian native

• Disease Resistant (resistant to dieback)

• Scented flowers (nectar‑rich)

• Bird Attracting

• Bee Attracting

• Perennial

• Suitable for Rockeries / Groundcover

Toxicity:

• Non‑toxic to humans and animals

Companion Plants:

• Australian native grasses (e.g. Lomandra, Dianella)

• Other prostrate banksias (e.g. B. petiolaris)

• Low heathland shrubs (e.g. Grevillea scapigera, Leptospermum scoparium)

• Drought‑tolerant Mediterranean plants (e.g. lavender, rosemary)