Hakea lissosperma

RHS Plant Profile

needlebush

Synonyms

Hakea sericea misapplied

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

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A columnar shrub or small tree with leathery, upright-growing, needle-like grey-green leaves. Clusters of tubular, white flowers with curly petals appear in spring and summer at the ends of the branches, followed by dark brown, smooth or warty, oval seed pods

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–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): H4

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
Potentially harmful: Skin irritant/allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Skin irritant/allergen - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Hakea are evergreen trees and shrubs with leathery, often needle-like, leaves. Small tubular flowers, appearing in small clusters among the leaves, are followed by woody seed pods
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Australia Tasmania

How to Grow

Cultivation

In mild areas grow in fertile, well-drained, sandy, slightly acid soil in full sun. Under glass grow in a mix of equal parts loam, peat substitute or leaf mould and sharp sand in full light. Apply phosphate-free fertiliser monthly in the growing season

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 16°C as soon as ripe; sow singly to avoid root disturbance. Or root semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 1. May need restrictive pruning under glass

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to phytophthora root rot in moist soil