Pincushion Hakea

About

Pincushion hakea produces one of the most distinctive flowers in the wider protea family: a dense, spherical head of deep pink to crimson styles surrounding a paler centre, closely resembling a small pincushion or a sea urchin, and holding a strong, sweet fragrance that draws nectar-feeding birds and insects from some distance. Flowers appear directly on bare older wood along the branches rather than at the growth tips, an unusual habit that gives a mature plant in bloom a striking, almost studded appearance along its whole framework.

It is somewhat more tolerant of wind, salt spray and a broader range of soil types than several of its Proteaceae relatives, which has made it a popular choice for an exposed coastal garden where more particular family members would struggle.

Appearance and character

Stiff, curved, grey-green leaves, often described as boomerang- or sickle-shaped, clothe an upright, somewhat open shrub or small tree. Round, pincushion-like flower heads, densely packed with long styles in shades of deep pink through to crimson, open directly along older, woody stems in winter and spring, a striking contrast against the grey-green foliage.

Following flowering, woody seed pods develop along the same stems, and like several other members of this family, they can remain closed for years, only splitting to release seed after fire or, in cultivation, once the wood itself has aged and dried sufficiently, whichever comes first.

Where it is from

Sandy, well-drained coastal and near-coastal country in southwestern Australia, in a Mediterranean-type climate with dry summers and mild, wet winters, tolerant of the wind and salt exposure typical of its native coastal range.

That coastal tolerance sets this species apart from several relatives adapted to more sheltered inland fynbos or heath, and it is the main reason this particular hakea has become a popular, relatively forgiving choice for an exposed seaside garden where wind and salt spray rule out many other flowering shrubs.

How it grows

An evergreen shrub or small tree building an upright, somewhat open framework over several years, with flowers forming directly on older wood rather than only on the current season’s growth. Growth is moderate, and a young plant takes a few years to develop enough mature, woody stems to flower as heavily as an established specimen.

Because flowers and subsequent seed pods form along older stems, hard pruning that removes a large proportion of this mature wood can significantly reduce flowering for a season or more, and light, selective pruning to shape the plant is generally preferable to a heavy cutback.

Through the seasons

Spring flowering often continues from winter, with pink pincushion heads studding the older wood along the branches.

Summer growth continues given adequate establishment; established plants tolerate real drought and coastal exposure well.

Autumn growth slows as temperatures drop and the wetter season approaches in a Mediterranean-type climate.

Winter is typically the main flowering period, with the fragrant pink flower heads opening along bare stems, a valuable source of colour and scent when little else is in bloom.

Care difficulty

Moderate. This is one of the more forgiving members of its family for an exposed or coastal position, tolerating wind, salt and a somewhat broader range of soil than several relatives, though it still needs sharp drainage and dislikes rich, waterlogged ground.

Watering

Regular watering supports establishment in the first year or two. Once settled, this species tolerates real drought well, and deep, infrequent watering suits it far better than frequent light watering.

Warning signs, diseases and pests

Root rot from soil that is too rich, wet or poorly drained is the main serious risk, and prevention through correct siting and minimal watering once established matters far more than treatment after the fact. Few significant pests trouble this species in a climate and site that suits it.

Reduced flowering after a hard prune usually reflects the removal of the older wood flowers form on, rather than any disease, and is addressed by favouring light, selective pruning over a heavy cutback in future.

Growing environment

Full sun suits it best, and while it tolerates a somewhat broader range of soil than several relatives, sharp drainage remains important regardless of overall fertility. Its tolerance of wind and salt spray makes it an especially useful choice for an exposed coastal position where many other flowering shrubs would struggle.

Feeding

None to minimal, and any fertiliser used should be low in phosphorus, in keeping with the wider Proteaceae family’s sensitivity to phosphorus levels that are unremarkable for most other garden plants.

Troubleshooting

Flowering has dropped off after a hard prune. This reflects the loss of older wood, where this species flowers most heavily. Favour light, shaping cuts over a heavy cutback in future to preserve flowering wood.

Leaves have yellowed after feeding with a general garden fertiliser. Suspect phosphorus sensitivity, common across this plant family. Switch to a low-phosphorus native plant feed, or stop feeding altogether.

A plant in an exposed coastal position looks less healthy than expected. This species tolerates wind and salt reasonably well, so check drainage and soil richness first, since these are more likely causes of decline than the exposure itself, particularly if nearby ground has been improved or fertilised for other coastal planting.

Seed pods remain closed and never seem to release seed. This is normal, since pods in this genus can remain closed for a long time, often opening only once the wood has aged and dried or after exposure to fire; this is not a sign of a problem with the plant.

You want to use the pincushion flowers for cutting. Cut stems once the flower heads have opened fully, and expect a good vase life along with the strong fragrance that also draws pollinators outdoors; picking some of the older, bare-wood stems for cutting also doubles as a light, shaping prune, so a vase of flowers indoors costs the plant very little in return and leaves the framework looking neater for it.