Banksia integrifolia subsp. monticola

RHS Plant Profile

white mountain banksia

John Fielding

Shrubs Trees

An evergreen large shrub or small tree with long, narrow leaves that are green above and pale grey on the underside. Pale yellow, cylindrical flowers are produced in summer and autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Neutral or Acid

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Proteaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Banksia are evergreen shrubs and trees with leathery, often handsome, simple or pinnately lobed leaves and many small tubular flowers in dense spikes forming showy, cone-like heads, followed by woody fruiting clusters
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Requires a free-draining soil in a sunny position. If grown in a container, use a peat-free, loam-based compost with added horticultural grit. Can survive outside in mild, sheltered gardens in the UK

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free but new growth may be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free