Hakea Bucculenta - Evergreen Trees Direct

Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers - Evergreen Trees Direct

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Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers

$265.00

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Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 100L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L: Enquire within for height guide information.

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 mustconfirm 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.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 5m

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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About Your New Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers

Hakea bucculenta, known as red pokers, is an upright evergreen shrub from Western Australia. Long narrow grey green leaves cover the stems, and through the cooler months it produces dense cylindrical flower spikes in bright red to orange, held tight against the branches. Honeyeaters work them constantly.

It needs full sun, sharp drainage and open air movement, and it dislikes humidity and waterlogged ground. Semi arid, Mediterranean and dry temperate districts suit it best. Once established it is very drought tolerant, but frost will damage it, so choose a frost free or sheltered position for planting.

Use it as a windbreak, an informal screen or a feature shrub in native and water wise gardens, particularly on sandy or gravelly sites where less rugged plants struggle. It also holds up in road reserves and revegetation work. Few shrubs give this much winter colour on so little water.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Hakea bucculenta

What is Hakea bucculenta?

It is a Western Australian shrub in the Proteaceae family, grown for its bold flower spikes. The common name red pokers comes from the shape, dense cylinders of red to orange flowers packed along the stem. The plant is evergreen, upright and reasonably dense, with long narrow leaves that stay grey green year round.

When does Red Pokers flower?

Flowering runs through winter and into spring, roughly June to October, which is when little else in a dry garden carries colour. The spikes last for weeks on the plant and are heavy with nectar, so honeyeaters find them quickly. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun and open positions.

How big does it grow?

Expect about 3 to 4 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide in most gardens, with an upright rather than spreading shape. In ideal dry inland conditions older specimens can push taller. Plants tip pruned from a young age stay bushier and lower, which suits screening and windbreak situations.

Is it frost tolerant?

No. It is frost sensitive and can be damaged by frost, particularly when young, so plant it in a frost free or protected position. In districts that get regular winter frost, choose a north facing spot with overhead cover or wall shelter. Established plants recover from light damage, but repeated hard frost sets them back.

Where does it grow best in Australia?

It comes from the dry sandplains of Western Australia and performs best in climates that echo that: Perth and the wheatbelt, the drier parts of South Australia, and inland Victoria and New South Wales where summers are hot and winters are dry. Humid subtropical east coast conditions cause root and foliage problems.

What soil does it need?

Free draining sandy, gravelly or loamy soil, ideally on the leaner side. Heavy clay or any site that holds water will kill it, so plant on a raised mound if drainage is doubtful. Like other Proteaceae it is sensitive to phosphorus, so avoid standard garden fertilisers and use a native blend if you feed at all.

How do I care for Hakea bucculenta?

Water deeply but sparingly while it establishes, then leave it to rainfall in suitable climates. Mulch with gravel or coarse bark rather than fine compost, which holds too much moisture at the crown. Tip prune after flowering to keep it compact, and never cut hard into old bare wood, since it does not reshoot reliably from there.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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.

View full details

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Shrubs
Windbreak
Screening or Privacy
Feature Tree

Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers 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.
Contemporary / Architectural Garden – striking forms for bold design statements.

Is Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers Evergreen or Deciduous?

Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 5m

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

Growth Rate of Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers

Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate
Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers

Is Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers frost tolerant?

Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Does Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers Flower?

Hakea bucculenta produces spectacular, elongated red flower spikes from late winter through spring. These vibrant, nectar-rich “poker” blooms cover the branch tips and create a dramatic seasonal display that stands out brilliantly against the fine, needle-like foliage.

Does Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Winter
Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

Red

Is Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers is Native to Western Australia, particularly the central west coastal regions around Geraldton, where it grows in sandy soils and coastal heath.

What is the Wildlife Value of Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers ?

Its long, nectar-rich flower spikes attract honeyeaters, wattlebirds, native bees and butterflies, offering a major food source across the cooler months. The dense foliage provides valuable shelter for small birds and beneficial insects, contributing strongly to biodiversity in native and wildlife-focused gardens.

How much Sunlight does Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers need?

Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Hakea bucculenta performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained sites unless improved with coarse sand and organic matter to increase drainage and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then shift to deep, infrequent watering as it matures to support strong drought resilience, vigorous growth and prolific flowering.

Is Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers Drought Tolerant?

Is Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it requires regular watering, but once established Hakea bucculenta develops excellent drought tolerance. Native to Western Australia’s dry regions, it thrives in hot, arid and coastal conditions and maintains strong flowering with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers

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 Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers

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.

Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year.

Medium Growth Rate
Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

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 Hakea bucculenta – Red Pokers in Different Soil

Hakea bucculenta 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.