The banksia farm is a property dedicated to banksias of all kinds owned and operated by Kevin and Kathy Collins. I was really inspired by my visit seeing the different forms of banksia, especially the dwarf (low coastal form) varieties of some banksia I was already familiar with. I purchased a few bags of seed, and a nice little Banksia Serrata I am training to become a bonsai.
The first is Banksia Grandis, commonly known as Bull Banksia. This is the dwarf/low coastal form which I think has promise for quite an interesting large scale bonsai - The standard Bull banksia has huge leaves, so this was a nice alternative. I have three of these that have survived germination.
A specimen of the low coastal form in the field at the Banksia Farm May 2022
Next to my hand for scale
The other variety I have is Banksia Epica, and it is also the dwarf/low coastal form. This is a less common banksia species and is quite new to cultivation. Kevin Collins of the Banksia farm is actually said to have pioneered it's cultivation. I think it's characteristics are vert promising for bonsai. I have four of these that survived germination.
This is the standard form of Epica at the Banksia Farm May 2022
The foliage
The fissured bark
I'm excited to grow these species and see what happens.
Cheers, Patrick
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