Hakea lissosperma
Pincushion tree, Needle bush, Mountain needlewood, Needle bush
Also known as Hakea sericea
- Height × spread
- 3m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This makes a dense shrub that looks rather like a conifer. It has needles, rather than leaves, curving upwards from the brown grey wood that is bumped and warty. There is some pink young growth. In May it may surprise with flowers, these look like wisps of cotton, tangled in the leaf axils. It can reach as much as 6m (20ft) in height in the wild, but 3m (10ft) by 3m (10ft) is more likely under cultivation, and it may be best grown in a container and brought indoors in winter, except in the mildest part of the country.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Grey
- Stem colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet-vanilla
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 3m
- Spread
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Scented garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous)
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Structural
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Skin irritant/allergen
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Apply acidic mulch
Where soil is only just acidic, apply mulch with a high acidic content such as leaf mould, or mulch for ericaceous plants. Alternatively the plant can benefit from a feed of iron supplement (iron chelate) such as sequestrol.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.