Banksia integrifolia - Coastal Banksia - 20 seeds

Banksia integrifolia commonly known as the Coastal Banksia, is an east coast Banksia with one of the widest ranges of all, extending from Fraser Island Queensland in the north to Port Phillip Bay in Victoria in the south. 
 
Coastal Banksia is one of the largest and most attractive of the Banksia growing as tree from 10 to 20m tall, the bark is rough and light grey in colour and the leaves are from 5 to 15cm in length and 1 to 2cm in width, glossy dark green on the upper surface and grey tomentose underneath with smooth edges and produced in whorls. 
The flowers are erect terminal cylindrical spikes from 7 to 15cm in length and are pale yellow when new darkening in colour with age to a deep bronze.  Flowering occurs throughout much of the year with peaks in the Autumn and Winter.  The fruits (the central woody stem of the flowers) remain after the flower withers and are clean narrow spikes in white or light grey.
 
Coastal Banksia is found on a range of soils where it is neutral to acid and well-drained with an annual rainfall of at least 500mm.  It can take frost, dry and exposed coastal conditions where it is normally a rugged-looking tree, forming twisted and gnarled shapes with heavily etched bark. 
 
It is excellent as a fast growing coastal windbreak or specimen tree for sandy soil and dry conditions.  This tree is lightly scented and nectar producing and is popular with nectar seeking birds and bees and is a good honey species.
 
Propagation is from seed is straightforward, seed should be sown into a standard seed raising mix and watered as required.  Plant out young seedlings as soon as practical to avoid too much root disturbance.  Plant into well drained soil with an acidic pH of around 6.0 to 6.5.  Phosphorus fertilisers are toxic to the plant as it can take up even the smallest traces of this element. 
 
20 premium quality seeds shipped on receipt of cleared funds.