Description:

A medium sized tree presenting narrow, gray-green leaves with silvery undersides; magnificent, candle-like yellow spikes in autumn, persist into winter and spring; a drought and frost tolerant plant that does well in coastal environments

Ornamental Features

Cunningham's Banksia (tree form) features showy spikes of yellow pincushion flowers along the branches from late fall to early winter. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has attractive grayish green foliage with silver undersides. The large narrow leaves are highly ornamental and remain grayish green throughout the winter. The furrowed gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Cunningham's Banksia (tree form) is an evergreen tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Cunningham's Banksia (tree form) is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Windbreaks and Shelterbelts
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Cunningham's Banksia (tree form) will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.