{"product_id":"hakea-francisiana","title":"Hakea francisiana","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEmu Tree \/ Grass-leafed Hakea\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eHakea francisiana\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Proteaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e South Australia and Western Australia (arid to semi-arid regions)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen large shrub to small tree\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eHakea francisiana — the Emu Tree or Grass-leafed Hakea — is one of South Australia's most ornamental native large shrubs, prized for its spectacular long, cylindrical pinkish-red flower spikes that burst into colour from late winter through spring. Native to the arid and semi-arid regions of SA and WA, it is exceptionally well adapted to Adelaide's Mediterranean climate — thriving in full sun, shrugging off summer drought, and tolerating moderate frosts with ease. Its long, needle-like silver-green leaves provide year-round structural texture, while the winter-to-spring flowering season delivers a dramatic display that draws honeyeaters, spinebills, and native bees in abundance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–5 m H x 1.5–3 m W (typically 2–4 m H in SA garden conditions)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate; 20–30 cm per year; upright and self-branching, forming a well-structured large shrub to small tree with an open, airy canopy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, rigid, needle-like silver-green leaves up to 15 cm long x 3 mm wide; slightly curved; evergreen and highly textural throughout all seasons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, cylindrical pinkish-red to deep crimson-pink pin-cushion spikes; late winter to spring (July–October in SA); non-fragrant; profuse and highly ornamental\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Showstopping late-winter to spring flowering display; decorative woody seed follicles add interest through summer and autumn; evergreen foliage maintains structure year-round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Outstanding bird attractor — honeyeaters, spinebills, and wattlebirds are frequent visitors; also highly attractive to native bees and other pollinators\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant once established; moderate frost hardy; coastal-tolerant; wind-tolerant; heat-tolerant; tolerates alkaline soils; low tolerance for persistently high humidity or poorly drained soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Informal screen or windbreak: plant 1.5–2 m apart (approx. 0.5–0.7 plants per metre run); feature specimen: allow 2.5–3 m clearance from structures and paths; mass native planting: 2 m centres\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not listed as toxic to dogs or cats; however, the sharp needle-like leaf tips can cause physical injury to eyes and skin — supervise pets and small children around newly planted specimens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun preferred for best flowering density and compact form; tolerates light shade but flowers less prolifically and may develop a more open, sparse habit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained sandy, gravelly, or loam soils essential; does not tolerate waterlogged conditions, compacted heavy clay, or persistently wet situations; drought-resilient once roots are well established\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: water deeply 2–3 times per week for the first 8–10 weeks, then reduce to weekly for the first full growing season. Established: summer — one deep watering per fortnight during extended dry spells is sufficient; winter — Adelaide's seasonal rainfall is generally adequate and supplementary watering is rarely required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low maintenance once established; light tip pruning after flowering encourages a bushier, denser form; avoid heavy pruning into old woody stems; use a native-specific low-phosphorus fertiliser sparingly in early spring only if growth appears sluggish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20–40 years in suitable well-drained positions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent performer across SA's temperate and Mediterranean zones — Adelaide metropolitan plains, coastal suburbs, Hills foothills, the mid-north, Eyre Peninsula, and inland semi-arid regions; not recommended for high-humidity subtropical environments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly adaptable; tolerates acid to alkaline soils (pH 5.5–8.5)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant 3–5 specimens in a staggered row 1.5–2 m apart as a fast-establishing native windbreak or privacy screen along SA coastal or suburban boundaries\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse as a bold feature specimen in a native, cottage, or drought-tolerant garden — the vivid winter flower spikes provide dramatic seasonal colour when most other plants are dormant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCombine with Eremophila, Grevillea, and Callistemon in a layered, low-water native wildlife corridor that carries interest and bird activity from winter right through to late summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFew Australian natives command attention quite like Hakea francisiana in full late-winter bloom. Those long, vivid pinkish-red spikes — appearing when most of Adelaide's gardens are at their quietest — are an irresistible magnet for honeyeaters and a stunning focal point from street level. It asks almost nothing in return: well-drained soil, full sun, and an occasional deep drink in the height of summer. Whether you need a fast-establishing native screen, a low-fuss bird-attracting feature plant, or a tough boundary planting that handles SA's scorching summers and cold Hills frosts without complaint, the Emu Tree delivers season after season with understated resilience and outstanding seasonal drama.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"300mm Pot","offer_id":68039637565692,"sku":"HAKE-FRAN-300MM-SO","price":110.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mm Pot","offer_id":68039637598460,"sku":"HAKE-FRAN-400MM-SO","price":199.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/hakea-francisiana-emu-tree-grass-leafed-300mm-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1793700803","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/hakea-francisiana","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}