Silky Hakea
Hakea sericea

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

Hakea sericea is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Dry sclerophyll forests and heaths on sandstone soils and shales.

Australia - New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria. Locally naturalized in parts of S.W. Europe.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A gum, somewhat similar to gum tragacanth (which is obtained from various Astragalus spp), is obtained from the stems. Shrubs are planted for the reclamation of arid land in Spain and Portugal. Plants are used for screening purposes in Australia.

Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Soil reclamation: Plants that can be grown in such circumstances an the spoil tips of mines in order to restore fertility.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Succeeds in a hot dry position, requiring a lime-free soil. Requires plenty of moisture in the growing season but a very well-drained soil. Wind tolerant. This species is not very hardy in Britain, but it succeeds outdoors in S.W. England. Plants are hardy to about -7°c in Australian gardens but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder wetter winters. They grow well in a Mediterranean climate, with cool wet winters and hot dry summers. Some forms of this species are lower growing with a tendency to sucker. Sometimes confused with H. lissosperma, some plants grown as H. acicularis are H. lissosperma. A good bee plant. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. Germination is usually good. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of mature wood.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

H. acicularis. H. tenuifolia. Conchium aciculare. Banksia tenuifolia.