Banksia sphaerocarpa – Fox Banksia

Banksia sphaerocarpa has flowers that look like a little fox

Banksia sphaerocarpa - Fox banksia
Banksia sphaerocarpa - Fox banksia

An elegant ornamental small to medium shrub, with long needle-like leaves and gorgeous yellow to orange ball-shaped flowers. It is quite a variable species, with a number of distinct varieties.
It makes a wonderful container plant, and is also useful as a low windbreak or screen. Tolerant of dry periods once established, it also handles some coastal exposure.
They need free draining, ideally sandy, soils and a sunny aspect. Susceptible to cinnamon fungus in areas with humid summers, ideal for the Mediterranean climate. Banksias are phosphorus sensitive, so a good native fertiliser is best when it comes to feeding time.

Family : Proteaceae

Cultivar Name:

Plant Type : Small shrub, Large shrub

Width : 4

Flowering Time : Spring, Summer, Winter

Soil Type : Sandy, Sandy loam

Climate Zone : Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Cool, Semi-arid

Growth Habit : Evergreen, Dense foliage

Soil Moisture : Well-drained

Special Uses : Cut flower, Decorative fruit

Scientific Name: Banksia sphaerocarpa

Common Name : Fox Banksia

Height : 3

Flower Color : Yellow

pH Level : Acid, Neutral, Alkaline

Plant Environment : Low maintenance garden, Container growing, Flower garden, Cold climate, Coastal garden, Drought resistant

Light : Sunny

Lifespan : Perennial

Frost Tolerance : Tolerates light frost

Attracts Wildlife : Bees, Nectar eating birds, Other insects, Mammals