Coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia)
Coastal Banksia is an open erect or spreading tree, growing up to 10-15m tall. Coastal banksia is very common along our coastal fringe, and it is found from Victoria right up through to Queensland. A hardy and versatile plant is widely planted in Australian gardens. It is a popular choice for parks and streetscapes and has been used for bush revegetation and stabilisation of dunes.
Attracts bees and birds
Large pale yellow nectar-filled flower cones from January to June, attract honey-eaters and lorikeets. The seeds in the woody cone fruits are sought after by yellow-tailed black cockatoos. It has green leaves with distinctive silver-white undersides which show up when coastal breezes blow. The tree forms attractive gnarly bark on maturity. The Coastal Banksia is an ornamental plant and prefers well-drained sandy soil in full sun or light shade. It is also a good screen tree and very useful for erosion control.
You can find the Coastal Banksia available to purchase at the Landcare Nursery in Port Macquarie.
