GREENGOLD GARDEN CONCEPTS
CARE AND MAINTENANCE NOTES

HAKEAS

There are around 150 species of Hakeas and they are only found in Australia. They occur in most areas of Australia in a wide range of habitats. Many are found in arid areas but they also occur in forests and heath lands and there are some in swampy areas. The largest range of species in one area is in the south- west of Western Australia.

Many species occur in areas which are prone to fire. They have evolved with characteristics which assist the species to survive fire. Some have a lignotuber which enables them to regrow after fire.

Most Hakea species have wooden fruits in which the seed is held and which only open in fire or when the plant is damaged. The seed is then released and can germinate when next there is rain. If fire occurs too frequently the success of Hakeas in regerminating can lead to them becoming dominant over plants which do not adapt as well and they have become weeds when introduced to other countries such as South Africa.

Hakeas have been known in cultivation overseas since the 1790's when they were introduced into the British Isles where some species are still grown in public gardens.

Many Hakeas have narrow leaves with sharp points which leads to common names such as "needle bush" and "needlepoints" This is an adaption to avoid drying out as very little leaf area is exposed to the sun and moisture loss from the leaf surface is reduced.

Most Hakeas are shrubs but there are some which are low ground-hugging plants and others which are small trees to about 10 m. The flowers of most Hakeas resemble those of their close relative, Grevilleas. They generally form axillary clusters or racemes.

One of the main distinguishing features between Hakeas and Grevilleas is that Hakeas have woody fruits which is not usual in Grevilleas. The fruits open into 2 valves to reveal two seeds with a membranous wing. The seeds often fit into cavities in the woody case and many make very attractive designs when the seed is released. Many of the seed cases are decorative. Some are quite large. Many have unusual shapes or they are rough with "bubbly" warts or tubercules which add interest and texture to a garden. In Western Australia some Hakeas have long racemes up to 20cm long. Unfortunately these beautiful and rather dramatic plants, such as H. bucculenta and H. francisiana, do not respond well to growing in the open garden on their own rootstock in eastern NSW. Some success has been achieved from grafting. H. salicifolia is most frequently used as rootstock.

Some of the most unusual Hakea species are also from Western Australia. One of the best known is H. victoria which has been called the world's most beautiful foliage plant whereas others think of it as almost grotesque. The leaves are round, stiff, curved upwards and up to 12cm in diameter. They have prickly, toothed, wavy edges and a conspicuous network of veins. Their most unusual feature is the color. Each leaf has a green rim with the centre of the leaf changing in color over the years from yellow to orange to red. Other Western Australian Hakeas with unusual, but less dramatic, foliage are H. cucullata and H. baxteri. One of the best known is H. laurina, known as the pin-cushion hakea because of its round flower heads, which can adapt more readily to eastern NSW.

At the Burrendong Arboretum near Wellington in central-western NSW Hakeas have adapted particularly well and there is one of the largest collections in Australia. There is a "Hakea Walk" where you can see a large number of interesting Hakeas including Western Australian species such as H. petiolaris, H. cristata, H. amplexicaulis, H. baxteri and H. prostrata. A special leaflet is available to help you understand the species you are seeing.

HAKEAS OF THE SYDNEY REGION and EASTERN NSW

In the Sydney region there are about 9 species. H. salicifolia and H. dactyloides have flat leaves while all other local species have narrow, pointed leaves. People often underestimate their local species. While the NSW species of Hakeas may not be as dramatic as some from W A they are very beautiful and should be widely grown.

The flowers of Hakeas in the Sydney region tend to be in clusters to 2-3cm in diameter. The relatively rare H. bakeriana has larger pink clusters. Their narrow leaves and delicate white, cream, yellow or pink flowers provide beautiful tracery in a garden. It is best not to plant "needlepoints" where you walk regularly !

The features of prickly foliage and honey-rich flowers make Hakeas attractive to birds and provide both nectar and protection for them. You can use prickly hakeas for protective screens. Plant them as a barrier where you don't want anyone to walk as the proverbial "milkman-proof" fence.

H. teretifolia is known as the "dagger hakea" because of its long narrow fruit. H. sericea can have either white or pink flowers and interesting rough fruits to about 40mm diameter with a distinct beak. H. macreana which comes from near Braidwood has long (13cm) sharp leaves and a willowy look. H. constablei from the Blue Mountains is another rare plant but one which adapts to a well drained garden site. It has warty fruits to about 50mm and many fruits seem to develop, making an interesting effect. H. bakeriana from the central coast can survive exposed sites. It can be dwarfed in very exposed sites. Its fruits can be up to 75mm.

H. propinqua has two forms - one from near Sydney (coastal form) with creamy white flowers and one from the Blue Mountains (tableland form) with yellow flowers. The fruit is warty and about 40mm. The coastal form tends to be larger - up to 3m - while the tableland form is denser and more compact reaching around 2m by 1 m. H. salicifolia (previously know as H. saligna) is a tall shrub or small tree to 5m. It has flat leaves up to 10cm long. An attractive narrow leafed form is available. This species can be a useful shelter or screen plant. H. dactyloides has flat leaves. It is a tall shrub with white to cream flowers or occasionally pink. H. gibbosa has hairy young growth and deep cream flowers. The last two species were the first two species of Hakeas introduced to Europe in 1790.

SOME OTHER INTERESTING HAKEAS

Other Hakeas worth growing include two with red flowers - H. purpurea only grows to about 1 m but can be spectacular when covered with its intense red flowers. This is a Queensland species.

H. orthorrhyncha, the bird's beak hakea. The name comes from the resemblance of the fruit to a bird's beak. It's flowers occur along the stem on old wood. Iti comes from a semi-arid area in Central - Western WA. It has been known to grow quite well in eastern NSW.

H. corymbosa has unusual green flowers.

H. nodosa is interesting because it comes from swampy heaths and could be tried if you do not have the well- drained site most of the other Hakeas prefer. It has needle-like leaves, small yellow flowers that occur prolifically in Spring and fruits covered with round warty protuberances.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN HAKEAS

If you wish to try some of the other WA Hakeas make sure you give them good drainage. Some of the most popular: H. bucculenta- bright red flower spikes. H. multilineata- beautiful pink tufts. H. petiolaris is known as "sea urchin hakea" because the flowers give the appearance of these creatures. The heads, to 5cm diameter, can vary greatly in colour. The silvery new growth adds to its interest. H. suaveolens- widely grown in other states. It has sweet scented white/cream flowers. H. undulata is grown for its foliage- oval leaves with wavy toothed margins and a fine network of veins.

GROWING HAKEAS - For those which corne from either sandstone or arid areas it is important to give them good drainage. Most also prefer a position with sun or at most partial shade.

As only a small number of Hakeas are available commercially you my like to try growing some from seed. Unlike their close relatives, the grevilleas, they come true to seed. Seedlings are prone to damping off so you may need to use a fungicide. They should be picked out at cotyledon stage to prevent root damage. Fertilising, with a low phosphorus ratio, should be minimal. For bushy growth commence pruning while the plants are young.