Quick Reference

Use Dwarf Hakea Laurina when you need a compact, bird-attracting Australian native shrub for full sun, dry climates, free-draining soil, informal hedging, and feature planting.

Avoid it where soil stays wet, shade is heavy, humidity is high, or young plants face repeated frost.

Source Note

Data compiled from and expanded on this guide: dwarf Hakea Laurina care and comparison guide.

What This Database Tracks

Compact Native Shrub Comparison Database

Plant / Cultivar Mature Height Mature Spread Growth Habit Best Use Sun Soil / Drainage Water Once Established Frost Tolerance Flower Season / Colour Wildlife Value Hedge Suitability Container Suitability Pruning Need Avoid / Caution Best Match Compared With Dwarf Hakea
Dwarf Hakea Laurina 2–4 m 2–3 m Compact, rounded shrub Native hedge, feature shrub, small garden structure Full sun Sandy or loamy, very well-drained Low Young plants may need protection Winter–early spring; red/cream pincushion flowers High; nectar birds and pollinators High for informal hedges Medium; large tubs only Light shaping Wet clay, shade, overwatering, high phosphorus fertilizer Baseline choice for compact pincushion flowers
Hakea laurina ‘Mini Pini’ 0.4–0.8 m 0.4–0.5 m Very compact dwarf shrub Courtyard, pot, small feature Full sun Sandy/loamy, well-drained Low–moderate Best in temperate climates Winter; pink/white pincushion-type flowers High Low edging only High Light tip prune Summer humidity Best true dwarf Hakea option
Standard Hakea laurina 2.5–6 m 2–5 m Large shrub to small tree Feature tree, tall informal hedge, screen Full sun to light shade Well-drained sandy/loamy soil Low Light frost tolerant; protect new growth Autumn–winter; red/cream/pink flowers High Medium–high if space allows Low Light structural pruning Wind exposure, cramped sites Larger alternative when space is not limiting
Hakea ‘Burrendong Beauty’ 0.5–1.5 m 1.5–3 m Low, spreading shrub Rockery, slope, container, low native massing Full sun Sandy, well-drained Low Moderate Autumn–winter; pink/white High Low informal hedge High Light shaping Wet soil Lower, wider Proteaceae alternative
Hakea decurrens ‘Pink Lace’ 1.8–2.2 m 1.5–2 m Evergreen, lightly weeping shrub Feature shrub, bird garden, coastal garden Sun to light shade Well-drained sandy/loamy/clay-loam Low Moderate Winter–spring; pink High Medium Medium Light prune after flowering Poor drainage Similar size but softer/weeping outline
Grevillea olivacea 2–4 m 2–6 m Dense, erect shrub Hedge, screen, coastal planting Full sun; tolerates some shade Well-drained sandy/loamy/clay-loam Low Light frost tolerant Winter–spring; red/orange/yellow Very high High Low Prune after flowering Skin irritation for some people Best hedge/screen substitute
Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Scarlet Sprite’ 0.8–1 m 0.8–1 m Dense mounding shrub Front border, small feature, bird habitat Sun to light shade Poor to loamy soil, well-drained Low Heavy frost tolerant All year; red/pink Very high Low–medium High Optional light prune Prickly foliage Best cold-climate compact substitute
Grevillea ‘Lemon Supreme’ 1–1.5 m 1–1.5 m Evergreen compact shrub Feature shrub, cut flower, wildlife planting Full sun Dry, well-drained, poor to loamy soil Low Light frost tolerant Winter–spring; cream/yellow Very high Medium Medium Light prune Possible Grevillea skin irritation Softer-flowered Proteaceae alternative
Banksia ericifolia ‘Little Eric’ 1.5–2 m 1–1.5 m Upright compact shrub Feature shrub, small hedge, bird garden Full sun Sandy/loamy, well-drained, low phosphorus Low–moderate Moderate Autumn–winter–spring; red/orange Very high Medium–high Medium Light prune only High phosphorus, wet feet Best Banksia alternative for similar bird value
Banksia spinulosa ‘Birthday Candles’ 0.4–0.5 m 0.5–1 m Low mounding shrub Front border, pot, low native garden Full sun Well-drained sandy/loamy/potting mix Moderate–low Moderate Autumn–winter; gold/orange High Low edging High Minimal High phosphorus, soggy soil Best low-growing Banksia substitute
Banksia spinulosa ‘Cherry Candles’ 0.4–0.5 m 0.5–0.6 m Compact low mound Container, border, small wildlife garden Full sun Well-drained sandy/loamy/potting mix Moderate–low Moderate Summer–winter; yellow/red High Low edging High Minimal High phosphorus Best very compact nectar shrub
Callistemon ‘Little John’ ~0.75–1 m ~0.75–1 m Dwarf rounded bottlebrush Low hedge, pot, mass planting Full sun Adaptable but best drained Low–moderate Moderate frost tolerant Spring–summer; dark red bottlebrush High Medium High Light trim after flowering Poor flowering in too much shade Best Myrtaceae alternative for humid/coastal sites
Westringia fruticosa ‘Grey Box’ ~0.5 m ~0.5 m Tight, box-like native shrub Formal low hedge, edging, container Full sun Well-drained soil Low Moderate Summer; small white flowers Medium High for low formal hedges High Clips well Wet feet Best formal native hedge alternative
Westringia fruticosa / Coastal Rosemary 1–1.5 m 1–1.5 m Dense evergreen shrub Hedge, coastal garden, topiary Full sun Sandy/loamy, well-drained Low Moderate Spring–autumn; pale blue/white Medium High Medium Regular clipping if formal Wet soil Best tough coastal hedge substitute
Correa alba 1–1.5 m 1–1.5 m Mound-shaped evergreen shrub Coastal hedge, container, native border Sun to light shade Sandy/loamy/clay-loam, well-drained Low Light frost tolerant Autumn–winter; white Medium–high Medium High Responds well to pruning Heavy shade reduces flowering Best shade-tolerant native alternative
Correa reflexa 0.5–1.2 m 0.5–1 m Compact native fuchsia shrub Underplanting, bird garden, small border Sun to part shade Adaptable but drained Low–moderate Moderate Often year-round; red/pink/yellow/cream High Medium Medium Light prune Poor drainage Best smaller bird-attracting shrub for part shade
Leptospermum ‘Lipstick’ ~1.5 m ~1 m Upright tea tree shrub Informal hedge, feature, screen Full sun Wide soil tolerance, best drained Low–moderate Moderate Spring; bright pink Medium–high Medium Medium Prune after flowering Waterlogging Best floral hedge substitute outside Proteaceae
Eremophila nivea 0.8–2 m 0.5–2 m Silver-foliaged shrub Dry garden feature, contrast planting Full sun Very well-drained soil Low Light–moderate Winter–summer; mauve/purple Medium–high Medium Medium Light prune Humidity, wet soil Best silver-foliage drought alternative
Acacia cognata ‘Limelight’ 0.5–1 m 1–1.2 m Soft mounded foliage shrub Container, border, foliage contrast Sun to light shade Loamy/sandy-loam, well-drained Low–moderate Moderate Spring; yellow Medium Low–medium High Tip prune for density Root rot in wet sites Best foliage-first compact substitute
Calothamnus quadrifidus 1.5–2.5 m 1.5–2.5 m Dense native shrub Wildlife hedge, feature, dry garden Full sun Sandy/loamy/clay-loam, well-drained Low Moderate Spring–summer; red one-sided bottlebrush High Medium–high Medium Light prune Wet soil Best red-flowering hedge alternative

Suggested Notion Views

View 1: Best Hedge Candidates

Filter: