Lantern Banksia - Banksia ericifolia - Care Guide
Banksia ericifolia! More frequently referred to as Lantern Banksia, it grows in a range of habitats across two separate regions of Central and Northern New South Wales east of the Great Dividing Range. You'll often find this woody shrub in acidic sandstone-based soils. It produces large eye-catching red and gold flowers. Like most other banksias, Lantern Banksia creates a great ecosystem for a wide variety of pollinators, including insects such as butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, and ants as well as many bird species.
You can expect this spectacular native to blossom with its large vibrant flowers anywhere between Spring, Summer and Autumn, with plants from different areas seeming to flower at different times.
Quick Care
| Botanical Name |
Banksia ericifolia
|
| Size Plant: | Seedling pot, min 20 cm tall |
| Frost Tolerance: | Tolerates light frost. |
| Drought Tolerance: | Drought Tolerant. |
| Soil Type: |
Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage
|
| Sun: | Full-sun/Part-shade |
| Size: | 7m shrub. |
| Pots: | Does well in pots. |
| Feeding: | Feed a high-quality native plant food every 6 months. |
Planting
For best results, plant your Lantern Banksia in well-drained, moist soils with moderate drainage and place your plant in full sun. You can also grow in part shade for reasonable results. This dense, flowering shrub can attain a height of up to 7m. It's great when used as a hedging, screening or feature plant in your garden.
Frost tolerance
Lantern Banksia is only able to tolerate light frost initially but will become frost tolerant as it matures. If you live in a cooler climate like Melbourne you'll want to make sure you offer your plant more protection from the elements in the colder months.
Sunlight
This lovely species does well in full sun but it can thrive in part sun but with lower flowering amounts.
Maintenance
Watering & Drought Tolerance
Lantern Banksia can survive the western sun and be tolerant of part shade conditions but it prefers full sun positions with a constant source of moisture. This plant is heat and drought tolerant and does well in coastal climates. During wintertime, you can hold back on watering but as the temperature increases ensure that you're keeping it well watered. When too dry, it will wilt which is a good indication of when to water.
Fertilising your Lantern Banksia
Be careful if applying fertiliser, especially ones with a high phosphorus content. Like all banksias, Lantern Banksia is phosphorus sensitive, so a good native fertiliser is best when it comes to feeding.
Growing Lantern Banksia in pots
Lantern Banksia does well in pots. Be sure to keep it in a sunny spot on a balcony or backyard. Use a high-quality potting mix without fillers or additives and add your own plant food for the highest success.