Hakea in green with birds - Wanda Comrie , 2025.

Australian , b. 1970s

Leucospermum 'Blanche Ito'

Well, spring is here, and the leucospermums are really putting on a show at the Ruth Bancroft Garden. This one is a hybrid named 'Blanche Ito'. Leucospermum is an African genus in the Protea Family, and while these plants are found in southeastern Africa, the majority come from the southwest in the winter-rainfall area. The flower heads feature long styles that extend outward, and this results in the common name "pincushions".

AKA rock grevillea or poker grevillea.

There are three subspecies, all endemic to the semi-arid SW. Two grow near granite, and the other in heaths, sandplains and scrubland. It may reach 4m in height.

Honey possum (Tarsipes rostratus) drinking nectar from candlestick banksia (Banksia attenuata) flowers in Western Australia

Hakea francisiana

05-SEP-2025