Lady Banks' rose grows on an arbor at the Highpockety Ox restaurant in Boonville (Mendocino County). It is the yellow form, or Rosa banksiae 'Lutea,' whose tresses of fully double flowers cascade down ... Few roses have rooted themselves into our local horticultural history like the Lady Banksia Rose.

Understanding the Context

It is a fixture in the American South. It is truly spring when the Banksia roses bloom! The Banksia ... The leaves of Banksia vary greatly between species.

Key Insights

Sizes vary from the narrow, 1– 11⁄2 centimetre long needle-like leaves of B. ericifolia (heath-leaved banksia), to the very large leaves of B. grandis (bull banksia), which may be up to 45 centimetres long. Banksia flowers are native to Australia, where the familiar wildflowers are well appreciated for their beauty, versatility, and drought-tolerance. Read this article for more information about banksia flowers and their care.

Final Thoughts

In Southwestern Australia, where fires are consummate and reliable, the native Banksia plants can repopulate a previously impenetrable bush with the seeds of their stored seed banks—because the seed release was timed to launch when other plants were not. Banksia are native to Australia and are an attractive flowering plant, many used as ground cover plants. They do require a well drained soil. Banksia flowers make stunning cut flowers that last a week or more in a vase. Flowers left on the plants are of great interest to insects and small animals because they are such a good supply of nectar. A native Australian flowering plant, Banksia thrives throughout the country.

They are drought-tolerant, attractive, and versatile, with flowers that will continuously bloom. They are particularly useful for landscaping, as they can grow into 6 to 12 foot shrubs, and can even be 30 to 60 feet in size as full-size trees.