Care of the plant Hakea leucoptera or Silver needlewood |
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The genus Hakea, family Proteaceae, comprises 150 species of trees and shrubs native to Australia. Some species are: Hakea leucoptera, Hakea laurina, Hakea cristata, Hakea bucculenta, Hakea aculeata, Hakea prostrata, Hakea recurva, Hakea orthorrhyncha, Hakea petiolaris, Hakea nitida. Common names: Needle Hakea, Needlewood, Pin bush, Water tree, Silver needlewood. This species is native to central Australia. They are evergreen shrubs with an open crown and hanging branches that reach 5 meters (16.4 feet) in height. The leaves are hairy, linear, rigid, greyish green in color and 8 cm long. The curious flowers are cream or yellowish in color and appear in clusters of 5 cm (1.96") in length. They bloom in spring and early summer. They are used in bushy groups, on dry and sunny slopes or as isolated specimens. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens. Hakea leucoptera prefers full sun exposure; it can also grow in light shade. They resist occasional frosts down to -5 ºC (23 ºF). They can be grown in poor, calcareous soils but prefer a well-drained garden substrate with plenty of coarse siliceous sand. They are drought resistant plants. Water moderately, always waiting for the substrate to dry completely. They do not need fertilizers. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact appearance. They are plants resistant to pests but sensitive to excess moisture. They propagate by seeds sown in spring in a seedbed with sandy substrate; they can take several weeks to germinate. |
Images of the plant Hakea leucoptera or Silver needlewood |
 Hakea leucoptera  Hakea leucoptera  Hakea leucoptera  Hakea leucoptera |