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Banksia marginata

Banksia marginata

Most loved for its silvery-green foliage and upright golden-yellow flower spikes, making it a versatile ornamental and habitat tree.

Regular price $170.00
Sale price $170.00 Regular price
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Pot size
Available batches
Size: 30cm/33cm
Current height guide
Please enquire
Pot size
30cm/33cm

Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.

Height guide & disclaimer

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Quantity

Order multiple sizes

Mix pot sizes and batches in one order.

Size / batchEachQuantity
30cm/33cmApprox. height: Approx. 0.4m – 1.2m$170.00
40cm/45LApprox. height: Approx. 0.8m – 1.6m$280.00
100L - September Batch - Pre OrderApprox. height: Enquire for current heights$760.00

Height guide & disclaimer

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Subtotal before discounts & delivery$0.00

Delivery is calculated at checkout.

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    About Banksia marginata

    Banksia marginata carries upright golden-yellow flower spikes almost year round against silver-backed foliage, and is one of the most reliable nectar sources available for honeyeaters and native pollinators. The Silver Banksia is a genuine habitat tree that also works ornamentally.

    Banksia marginata is highly variable in size depending on provenance and conditions, forming anything from a 2 metre shrub in exposed coastal sites to a 12 metre tree in sheltered positions, spreading 3 to 4 metres wide at 30 to 50 centimetres per year. It suits rural windbreaks, revegetation and garden feature planting alike.

    This Australian native is frost hardy, surviving heavy and frequent frost without damage, and tolerates poor sandy soils and extended dry once established. It performs in full sun from subtropical Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to Adelaide with essentially no maintenance.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    About Banksia marginata

    How tall does Banksia marginata grow?

    Banksia marginata is highly variable. In exposed coastal or windy sites it stays a 2 to 4 metre shrub, while in sheltered inland positions it can reach 12 metres. Mature width is generally 3 to 4 metres.

    When does Silver Banksia flower?

    Banksia marginata flowers close to year round, with the heaviest flush through autumn and winter. The upright golden-yellow spikes are a key nectar source when little else is flowering.

    Does Banksia marginata attract birds?

    Yes. The flower spikes are heavily worked by honeyeaters, lorikeets and native bees, and the dense branching provides shelter and nesting habitat for small birds.

    Is Banksia marginata frost hardy?

    Yes. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, which suits it to inland tablelands and alpine-fringe districts as well as coastal sites.

    How fast does Silver Banksia grow?

    It grows at a moderate 30 to 50 centimetres per year. Growth is faster in good soil with reliable moisture and slower in the exposed sandy sites where it is often planted.

    What soil does Banksia marginata need?

    It prefers free-draining sandy or loam soils and is intolerant of waterlogging. Avoid high-phosphorus fertilisers, which damage banksias and other Proteaceae.

    How far apart should I plant Banksia marginata?

    Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen or windbreak, 3 to 4 metres apart as feature trees, or 3 metres apart for an avenue.

    Foliage

    Evergreen (foliage year round)

    Position
    • Full Sun
    Form
    • Upright
    • Rounded
    • Broad
    • Shrub
    Use
    • Screening or Privacy
    • Rural Property Planting
    • Revegetation or Regeneration
    • Feature Tree
    • Shade Tree
    • Windbreak
    Mature height
    2m to 12m (approx.)
    Mature width
    3m to 4m

    Planting Information

    How To Plant Your Banksia marginata

    Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

    Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

    Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

    Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

    Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Banksia marginata

    Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

    Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

    Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

    Banksia marginata is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (approx.).

    • Medium Growth Rate

    Long Term Care For Your Banksia marginata

    Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

    Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

    Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

    Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

    Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

    Planting Your Banksia marginata in Different Soil

    Banksia marginata performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

    Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

    Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

    Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

    pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

    Uses in my Garden

    Uses in my Garden

    • Screening or Privacy
    • Rural Property Planting
    • Revegetation or Regeneration
    • Feature Tree
    • Shade Tree
    • Windbreak

    Banksia marginata works in an:

    • Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
    • Wildlife Garden – planting to attract birds, bees, and pollinators.
    • Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
    • Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.
    • Woodland Garden – layered, naturalistic design under dappled light.

    Is Banksia marginata Evergreen or Deciduous?

    Banksia marginata is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

    Mature Height & Width

    Mature Height: 2m to 12m (approx.)

    Mature Width: 3m to 4m

    Banksia marginata is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (approx.).

    Growth Rate of Banksia marginata

    Banksia marginata is expected to grow 30cm to 50cm per year (approx.).

    They are considered to have a:

    • Medium Growth Rate

    Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Banksia marginata

    Is Banksia marginata frost tolerant?

    Banksia marginata is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

    Does Banksia marginata Flower?

    Banksia marginata produces upright pale yellow to creamy cylindrical flower spikes from late summer through winter. These softly coloured blooms sit above the silvery undersides of the foliage, creating a gentle yet distinctive seasonal display and supplying nectar during the cooler months.

    Does Banksia marginata flower?

    • Yes - Flowers

    Flowering Period:

    • Year-Round

    Flower Type:

    • Fluffy

    Flower Colour:

    Yellow

    Is Banksia marginata an Australian Native Tree?

    Yes

    Banksia marginata is Native to Widespread across south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales, where it grows in heathlands, woodlands, and coastal areas.

    What is the Wildlife Value of Banksia marginata ?

    Its nectar-rich flower spikes attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies and beetles, while its dense foliage provides shelter for small birds. The long flowering season offers vital support to pollinators when other food sources are scarce, enhancing overall garden biodiversity.

    How much Sunlight does Banksia marginata need?

    Banksia marginata will thrive best in:

    • Full Sun

    Preferred Soil?

    Banksia marginata performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It is sensitive to poor drainage and may struggle in heavy clay unless significantly improved with organic matter and coarse material to boost aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the tree matures and develops its characteristic high drought resilience.

    Is Banksia marginata Drought Tolerant?

    Is Banksia marginata Drought tolerant?

    As a young tree it benefits from regular watering, but once established Banksia marginata develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in dry, sandy and coastal environments and maintains its compact, bushy form with minimal supplementary watering.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Is Silver Banksia suitable for coastal gardens? Yes, it's tolerant of sea breezes and saline conditions.
    • How often does it bloom? Primarily in winter and spring, though occasional flowering can occur throughout the year.
    • What wildlife can it attract? Its flowers are a food source for nectar-feeding birds and insects.

    Compare sizes side by side

    30cm/33cm

    Approx. 0.4m – 1.2m

    40cm/45L

    Approx. 0.8m – 1.6m

    100L - September Batch - Pre Order

    Enquire for current heights

    Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.

    Banksia marginata is loved for its silvery-green foliage and upright golden-yellow flower spikes, making it a versatile ornamental and habitat tree.

    We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.

    Plant Your Banksia marginata With:

    Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

    Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

    Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

    Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    About Enriched Planting Mix

    What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

    It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

    What plants is it suitable for?

    It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

    Is it safe for natives?

    No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

    Is it certified organic?

    Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

    How much do I need?

    Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

    Can I use it in pots?

    It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

    Does it need to be watered in?

    Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

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