Banksia blechnifolia

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Banksia blechnifolia is a small, spreading shrub from Western Australia. It’s called the fern‑leaved banksia because its long, fern‑like leaves rise from thick, low stems. It grows about 50 cm tall and can spread 2–4 meters across. The stems lie on the ground, with upright leaves on stalks 5–18 cm long. Leaves are 25–45 cm long with many lobes.

From September to November, red‑brown flower spikes up to 20 cm tall appear at the ends of the stems. As they age the spikes turn grey and develop up to about 25 seed pods. Flowers attract bees, wasps, ants and flies.

This plant is native to sandy soils in the south coastal area of WA, near Lake King. It does not have a lignotuber and regenerates mainly from seed after fire.

In gardens it likes well‑drained sandy soil and full sun. It’s good for rockeries and as a groundcover and tolerates moderate frost. In cultivation some plants can reach up to 4 meters across.

Growing from seed is easy: germination takes 14–49 days, and it usually takes 4–5 years to flower after sowing.