Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

red banksia

Red banksia is one of the most striking and iconic plants found in Australian landscapes, treasured by New Zealand gardeners for its bold presence, bird-attracting flowers, and reliable hardiness. Characterised by dramatic red, orange, or reddish-pink cylindrical flower spikes, red banksia varieties stand out as stunning feature shrubs or small trees that provide year-round garden interest. If you’re searching for a plant that combines sculptural foliage with vivid blooms and is well-suited to New Zealand’s temperate climate, red banksia is a top choice for both native-inspired and contemporary planting schemes.

banksia-integrifolia-3

Banksia integrifolia (Coastal Banksia)

Banksia integrifolia (Coastal Banksia) is a hardy evergreen tree admired for its striking yellow flower spikes and tough coastal nature. This Australian native performs exceptionally well in many parts of New Zealand, particularly in coastal and exposed locations. The attractive foliage and nectar rich flowers attract birds and pollinators to the garden. Banksia integrifolia (Coastal Banksia) is an excellent choice for gardeners wanting a resilient feature tree with year round interest.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: 5.00 m
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn, Winter
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Banks, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern
leucothoe-curly-red-2

Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red

Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red, commonly known as Dog Hobble, is a beautiful shrub which is grown of its colourful and curly foliage. New foliage is red and ages to a dark green with red-purple undertones, resulting in a multi-coloured plant. The foliage is complemented with clusters of showy, white flowers in spring as it grows to 50 cm tall and 70 cm wide. Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red is commonly included in mixed plantings or borders, maintained in a container, planted around outdoor living areas such as pools, or used anywhere vibrant colour is desired.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
persicaria-microcephala-red-dragon--2

Persicaria Red Dragon

The Persicaria Red Dragon plant, commonly known as Knotweed, is a small shrub grown for its beautiful foliage. It carries elongated leaves that are...

From$24.23
callistemon-red-alert-4

Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Callistemon 'Red Alert' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its brilliant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into summer. The vivid...

From$26.93
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

From$26.93
grevillea-red-clusters-4

Grevillea Red Clusters (Red Clusters Grevillea)

Grevillea Red Clusters is a fast-growing shrub renowned for its striking flowers and great foliage. Showy clusters of red, spider-like flowers are...

From$28.28
Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' showy red flowers.

Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Crimson Red’ is a striking crepe myrtle renowned for its deep crimson summer flowers and attractive upright tree form. Flowering...

From$29.63
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.

Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

From$20.18
Carex flagellifera Red plants.

Carex flagellifera Red

Carex flagellifera Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its colourful and attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, copper-red...

From$13.43
camellia-roma-red-

Camellia Roma Red

Camellia Roma Red features double, red flowers through winter and spring. The showy blooms are complemented beautifully with glossy, dark green...

From$47.18
A Loropetalum 'Red Temple' plant with dark purple-red foliage and elegant, pink flowers.

Loropetalum 'Red Temple'

Loropetalum 'Red Temple' produces mildly fragrant, pink-red flowers through winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage on this bushy...

From$28.28
Escallonia 'Red Elf' red flowers and glossy, green foliage.

Escallonia 'Red Elf'

Escallonia 'Red Elf' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy, green foliage and vibrant, red, bell-shaped flowers that bloom from late...

From$24.23
pelargonium-two-in-one-dark-red-

Pelargonium Two in One Dark Red (Red Pelargonium)

Pelargonium Two In One Dark Red is a variety of Geranium grown for its clusters of dark red flowers. The showy flowers are borne through spring and...

From$21.53
Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' growing on a pergola and featuring masses of stunning yellow flowers.

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Banksia Rose)

Rosa banksiae 'Lutea' (Yellow Banksia Rose) is a stunning climbing rose admired for its masses of soft yellow double flowers produced in spring. This...

From$29.63
Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red' plant in a pot with stunning red flowers and lush, purple-green foliage.

Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red'

Hydrangea 'Tuxedo Red' is a bold and dramatic deciduous shrub admired for its deep red mophead flowers set against dark stems and rich green foliage...

From$26.93
Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood' red flower with green foliage.

Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood'

Mandevilla 'Red Riding Hood' is a vibrant climbing plant known for its bold red flowers that stand out beautifully in New Zealand gardens. The glossy...

From$25.58
hebe-red-edge-

Hebe Red Edge (Hebe albicans Red Edge)

Hebe Red Edge is a NZ native that features masses of small but pretty, lilac-coloured flowers which gradually fade to white. These are produced...

From$20.18
Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' rose-coloured foliage.

Pseudowintera Red Glow'

Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' is a bright and vibrant NZ native shrub. New foliage emerges rose-pink and ages to become a fresh green colour. The leaf...

From$26.93
Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.

Buddleia 'Royal Red'

Buddleia ‘Royal Red’ is a bold deciduous shrub celebrated for its rich red crimson flower spikes and sweet summer fragrance. Flowering over an...

Armeria 'Ballerina Red' plants with red flowers.

Armeria 'Ballerina Red' (Thrift)

Armeria 'Ballerina Red' is a compact and colourful perennial known for its bright red pompom style flowers that bloom from spring through autumn. Its...

From$20.18
Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.

Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs...

From$391.14
acer-red-sunset-2

Acer Red Sunset

Acer rubrum Red Sunset is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that features fantastic autumn colours. The lush foliage emerges mid-green in spring...

From$382.61
magnolia-red-as-red-2

Magnolia Red As Red (Red As Red Magnolia)

Magnolia Red as Red bears masses of large and showy, dark red flowers through late winter and early spring. The flowers are borne on the naked stems...

From$432.79
rhododendron-red-mountain-

Rhododendron Vireya Red Mountain

Rhododendron Vireya ‘Red Mountain’ is a tropical shrub growing up to 1.5 metres tall with a compact, rounded growth habit. Known for its striking red...

From$28.28
azalea-mrs-kint-red-

Azalea 'Mrs Kint Red'

Azalea 'Mrs Kint Red' is a vibrant evergreen azalea admired for its rich red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The bold blooms sit...

From$36.38
Lagerstroemia 'Best Red' red flowers amidst dark purple foliage.

Lagerstroemia 'Best Red'

Lagerstroemia ‘Best Red’ is a standout crepe myrtle prized for its intense red summer flowers and strong upright tree form. Flowering through the...

From$358.98
photinia-super-red--1

Photinia Super Red (Red Robin)

Landscaping uses for Sophora 'Goldies Mantle'

From$25.58
Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.

Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a hardy, evergreen shrub prized in New Zealand gardens for its rich green foliage and striking clusters of deep red...

From$32.33
A cluster of Hoya 'Red Buttons' purple and red flowers.

Hoya pubicalyx 'Red Button'

Hoya 'Red Button' is a popular variety of Hoya that is commonly grown as an indoor plant. It produces elongated, dark green leaves held on trailing...

From$83.63
Hypoestes 'Splash Red' plant with colourful red folaige.

Hypoestes 'Splash Red'

Hypoestes 'Splash Red' is a vibrant foliage plant prized for its bright green leaves boldly splashed with deep red markings. This compact and...

From$25.58
Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.

Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

From$25.58
Cordyline australis 'Red Star' plants with fabulous dark red-purple foliage.

Cordyline Red Star

Cordyline 'Red Star' is a popular evergreen plant renowned for its striking, deep red, sword-like leaves, which add a strong architectural form to...

From$21.53
Banksia integrifolia (Coastal Banksia)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Armeria, Azalea, Banksia, Buddleia, Callistemon, Camellia, Carex, Coprosma, Cordyline, Escallonia, Grevillea, Hebe, Hoya, Hydrangea, Hypoestes, Lagerstroemia, Leucothoe, Loropetalum, Magnolia, Mandevilla, Pelargonium, Persicaria, Photinia, Pseudowintera Rhododendron and Rosa, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Flaxes, Grasses, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Climbing Roses, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Azaleas, Evergreen Shrubs, Vireya Rhododendon, Deciduous Trees Magnolia Trees and Maple Tree.

Search red banksia

What is Red Banksia?

The term "red banksia" often refers to several Banksia species famous for their red-toned inflorescences. Popular types include Banksia coccinea (Scarlet Banksia), which dazzles with fire-red cones atop leathery green leaves. Other species, such as Banksia ericifolia (Heath Banksia), sometimes showcase reddish-orange blooms and offer equally dramatic visual impact for your garden. These shrubs or small trees are known for their resilience, bushy growth, and ability to thrive in free-draining soils — making them a smart option for New Zealand conditions.

Growing Red Banksia in New Zealand

Red banksia excels in well-draining, sandy soil with plenty of sunshine. They tolerate wind, salt spray, and even light frosts, making them ideal for coastal or urban gardens across Aotearoa. Once established, their low water needs and resistance to pests make them a practical choice for busy gardeners. To achieve the best flowering, plant your red banksia where it enjoys at least six hours of sun each day. Incorporate native-friendly fertiliser and consider mulching to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Red banksia pairs beautifully with other Australian natives. For a cohesive landscape, you might plant alongside species like Banksia ornata (Banksia Tree) and Banksia robur, which contrast nicely with varied foliage forms and flower colours. For coastal gardens, Banksia integrifolia (Coastal Banksia) is another excellent companion.

Uses and Benefits of Red Banksia

Red banksia isn’t just about good looks. It’s a favourite with native birds and bees, providing valuable nectar through cooler months when other food sources are scarce. Its dramatic flower cones make long-lasting cut flowers and are often used in floral arrangements. The drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements add to its appeal, whether mass-planted for screening or used as a sculptural focal point in a modern garden.

If you love vibrant colour and want to support native wildlife, consider adding different Banksia varieties such as Banksia serrata or Banksia ericifolia (Heath Banksia) to increase seasonal diversity and garden interest.

Varieties to Explore

Banksia is a diverse genus with many spectacular options for New Zealand gardens. Alongside the brilliant red banksia, consider Banksia ornata (Banksia Tree) for creamy-yellow flowers, Banksia robur for dramatic large foliage, and the multi-functional Banksia integrifolia (Coastal Banksia) for coastal environments.

Explore our range to find the ideal Banksia for your garden and enjoy the beauty, colour, and life that red banksia brings to your outdoor space.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Gardeners love Apodasmia similis (Oi Oi) and Aesculus hippocastanum, but there’s a growing buzz around plants like Camellia Roger Hall, Olive Ascolano, and Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant).
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.9

429 Google reviews