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Hakea laurina – Pincushion Hakea

About Your New Hakea laurina – Pincushion Hakea

Hakea laurina, the pincushion hakea, is an evergreen Australian native large shrub or small tree. Narrow blue green leaves give it a willow like softness, and from autumn it carries round crimson flower heads studded with radiating cream styles, which is where the pincushion name comes from.

Full sun and well drained sandy or loamy soil suit it, and it takes coastal exposure, extended dry spells and light frost once established. Mediterranean, temperate and semi arid districts are its natural fit. Growth is moderate at 20 to 40 centimetres a year, and it dislikes humid summers and wet soil.

It works as a screening shrub along a boundary, a small feature tree over a native understorey, or a street tree in dry inland towns. Nectar feeding birds use it heavily through the colder months. Buyers get winter flowers, year round foliage and a plant that survives on very little water.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Hakea laurina

What is Hakea laurina?

It is a Western Australian member of the Proteaceae, grown as a large shrub or small tree. The flowers are its signature: rounded crimson to pink globes about 4 centimetres across, with cream styles radiating out, sitting along the stems. Foliage is narrow, leathery and blue green, and the habit is upright with a rounded crown.

Is Pincushion Hakea evergreen or deciduous?

Evergreen. It holds its narrow blue green foliage all year and does not defoliate in winter, which is part of why it is used for screening. New growth flushes in spring and after rain. The only real seasonal change is flowering, which arrives as the weather cools rather than in the warm months.

How big does it grow?

It reaches 4 to 6 metres tall and 3 to 5 metres wide at maturity, sitting between a large shrub and a small tree. Plants left alone branch low to the ground, so lifting the lower limbs early creates a clean trunk and a proper small tree form. Growth is moderate at 20 to 40 centimetres a year.

When does it flower?

Flowering starts in autumn and continues through winter, often carrying into early spring in cooler districts. That cool season display is the main reason it is planted, since it fills a period when most gardens are quiet. The flowers are rich in nectar and hold on the plant for several weeks.

Is it suitable for coastal positions?

Yes, in second line coastal positions with free draining sandy soil. It handles salt laden wind well, but not constant direct exposure on a foredune. Humidity is a bigger problem for it than salt, so it performs better on the southern and western coasts than in the humid subtropical east.

Can it be grown as a hedge or screen?

Yes. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or about 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge. Trim lightly after flowering to build density rather than shearing hard, since hakeas resent cuts into bare old wood. As a spaced feature tree, allow 3 to 4 metres between plants.

How do I care for Pincushion Hakea?

Water through the first summer to establish, then only during long dry periods. Use a coarse mulch and keep it away from the trunk. Feed sparingly, with a low phosphorus native fertiliser in spring if at all. Prune straight after flowering, taking tip growth only, and remove any dead inner wood.

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Uses in my Garden

  • Feature Tree
  • Screening or Privacy
  • Underplanting

Hakea laurina – Pincushion Hakea 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.
  • Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
  • Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

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