Banksia ericifolia Little Eric

Common Name:
Little Eric Banksia

Description:
Banksia ericifolia ‘Little Eric’ is a compact, cultivated form of the Heath-leaved Banksia, bred for smaller gardens and container planting while still delivering the vibrant beauty and ecological benefits of its larger parent. This dwarf selection produces the same vivid, cylindrical flower spikes in warm orange to reddish tones that bloom from autumn through to spring, offering critical food for birds and bees during the cooler months. The fine, needle-like foliage provides a soft, textural appearance and forms a dense, rounded shrub with a neat habit, ideal for low hedging, native borders, or feature planting in smaller spaces. It performs best in full sun and well-drained soils and is highly drought-tolerant once established. With its manageable size and hardy nature, 'Little Eric' is particularly suited to Melbourne’s variable conditions, including coastal exposure. Low maintenance and rich in habitat value, it is an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly urban gardens.

Form:

• Shrub - Small

• Shrub - Medium

Mature Size:

• Height: 1 to 1.5 metres

• Width: 1 to 1.5 metres

Aspect:

• Full Sun

Flowering:

• Flowers in Autumn

• Flowers in Winter

• Flowers in Spring

Flower Colour:

• Orange

• Red

Key Attributes:

• Australian native

• Suitable for Pots

• Bird Attracting

• Bee Attracting

• Drought Tolerant

• Suitable for Hedging

• Low Maintenance

• Coastal Tolerant

• Compact Growth Habit

Toxicity:
Not known to be toxic to humans or animals.

Companion Plants:

• Grevillea ‘Royal Mantle’

• Lomandra ‘Tanika’

• Leptospermum scoparium

• Melaleuca thymifolia

• Westringia fruticosa