Browse plants / Proteaceae
Acorn banksia Banksia prionotes
Also called Orange banksia
When it flowers
- January, not flowering
- February, not flowering
- March, flowering
- April, flowering
- May, flowering
- June, flowering
- July, flowering
- August, not flowering
- September, not flowering
- October, not flowering
- November, not flowering
- December, not flowering
Tall WA banksia with bright orange acorn-shaped spikes that open from the base.
The flower spikes start out white and woolly and turn bright orange as the flowers open from the bottom up, giving the acorn look. A favourite of honeyeaters and a striking cut flower. Needs a dry-summer climate and sandy, free-draining soil.
In the garden
- Attracts
- Birds
- Flowers
- Acorn-shaped spikes up to 15 cm tall, cream in bud, opening bright orange.
- Leaves
- Long, narrow, saw-toothed grey-green leaves.
Growing conditions
- Climate
- Dry summers (Mediterranean)
- Light
- Full sun
- Soil
- Sandy
- Drainage
- Needs good drainage
- Frost
- Light frost
- Water
- Very drought tolerant
- Coast
- Sheltered coastal gardens
Planting and care
- Grown from
- Seed and grafting
Planting
Full sun in deep, sandy, free-draining soil. In humid or heavy-soil gardens choose a grafted plant, or grow it in a raised bed of sandy soil with good air movement.
Pruning
Tip prune young plants to encourage branching. Cut spent cones or picked flowers just behind the spike, leaving leaves on the stem; it doesn't regrow well from bare wood.
Care
Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser, if any. Avoid summer watering once established; prone to root rot in wet soil.
Where it comes from
- Family
- Proteaceae
- Order
- Proteales
- Native to
- Western Australia
- Natural range
- Deep sands of the west coast of Western Australia, from Shark Bay south.
Where to buy
Specialist native nurseries.
We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.
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Further reading
- Banksia prionotes on the Atlas of Living Australia (Atlas of Living Australia)
Native nurseries near you
An independent list of nurseries that specialise in Australian native plants. Nobody pays to be on it. Distances are approximate and in a straight line. Opening hours and stock vary, so check before you go.