Now that the strawberry trees (dogwoods) have finished fruiting the flocks of tui have moved on to the next tasty source of food - banksia are starting to produce flowers, which are laden with sweet nectar
"They also attract insects, a further winter food source for birds. The strikingly architectural flowers, which look fabulous in a vase, are produced in huge profusion for many weeks. Handsome banksias range from tall trees to low spreading shrubs and adapt to a wide range of conditions and are well known for their drought tolerance. They include some very useful shelter trees and many are ideally suited to coastal situations."
From the following description it would seem that the variety of banksia in the cemetery is "Lemon Delicious:
Banksia ‘Lemon Delicious’ is a compact hybrid with soft narrow leaves of vibrant bright green. Pretty lemon buds open to shades of gold and lemon. Flowering can be over a long period from late winter to summer. ‘Lemon Delicious’ adapts to a wide range of soils.
http://www.gogardening.co.nz/articles/2-0-1072/banksias-for-birdlife
However, there seems to be some debate in the botanical world about whether or not the banksia are an invasive weed. Read more about them here. They have established and flourished throughout the cemetery and they seem to be doing a good job of providing a high energy nectar source when nothing else is available during the coldest months of the year. And it seems nearby Zealandia has planted them in the Sanctuary for just that reason, and if it's good enough for them, it's certainly good enough for me.
Once flowering is finished seed pods are left, many of which fall to the ground.
"They also attract insects, a further winter food source for birds. The strikingly architectural flowers, which look fabulous in a vase, are produced in huge profusion for many weeks. Handsome banksias range from tall trees to low spreading shrubs and adapt to a wide range of conditions and are well known for their drought tolerance. They include some very useful shelter trees and many are ideally suited to coastal situations."
From the following description it would seem that the variety of banksia in the cemetery is "Lemon Delicious:
Banksia ‘Lemon Delicious’ is a compact hybrid with soft narrow leaves of vibrant bright green. Pretty lemon buds open to shades of gold and lemon. Flowering can be over a long period from late winter to summer. ‘Lemon Delicious’ adapts to a wide range of soils.
http://www.gogardening.co.nz/articles/2-0-1072/banksias-for-birdlife
However, there seems to be some debate in the botanical world about whether or not the banksia are an invasive weed. Read more about them here. They have established and flourished throughout the cemetery and they seem to be doing a good job of providing a high energy nectar source when nothing else is available during the coldest months of the year. And it seems nearby Zealandia has planted them in the Sanctuary for just that reason, and if it's good enough for them, it's certainly good enough for me.
Once flowering is finished seed pods are left, many of which fall to the ground.
Seed pod and flower
