Care of the shrub Hakea petiolaris or Sea-urchin Hakea |
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The genus Hakea, family Proteaceae, comprises 150 species of trees and shrubs native to Australia. Some species are: Hakea petiolaris, Hakea orthorrhyncha, Hakea leucoptera, Hakea laurina, Hakea cristata, Hakea bucculenta, Hakea aculeata, Hakea prostrata, Hakea recurva, Hakea nitida. Common name: Sea-urchin Hakea. This species is native to Western Australia. They are large shrubs or small trees that reach 9 meters (29.52 feet) in height. The leaves are leathery, greyish green in color, have well-marked veins and an oval-heart-shaped shape with a pointed apex. The showy and curious flowers appear in groups of pink or purple and look like sea urchins. They can bloom from fall to spring. Sea-urchin Hakea is used as windbreaks, screens, as isolated specimens and in public streets and parks. It's ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens. It's also used as cut flowers for floral decorations. Hakea petiolaris needs full sun exposure and a warm climate. It resists frosts down to -8 ºC (17.6 ºF). The soil must be very well drained and better if it is calcareous. Sea-urchin Hakea is a very resistant to drought plant. Always water moderately, waiting for the substrate to dry. Hakea petiolaris does not need fertilizers or pruning. Sea-urchin Hakea is a plant resistant to pests but sensitive to excess moisture. Hakea petiolaris propagates by seeds sown in spring in small individual pots in a mixture of perlite and damp peat; they germinate in 1-3 months. |
Images of the shrub Hakea petiolaris or Sea-urchin Hakea |
 Hakea petiolaris  Hakea petiolaris  Hakea petiolaris |