Banksia integrifolia aka White Honeysuckle

Banksia integrifolia is an evergreen shrub or small tree. Its common names include coast banksia and white honeysuckle. It belongs to the Proteaceae family. It comes from eastern Australia, including New South Wales. Its range also covers southern Queensland and Victoria. It grows on coastal dunes and beside inlets. It also grows on basalt and red sand inland. At higher sites, trees can stay small and twisted.

Garden references give a height of about 30 feet [9 metres]. A broader account gives 16–52 feet [5–16 metres]. The trunk often twists where wind shapes its growth. It can reach about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] across. Leaf edges vary with the growing site. Exposed plants have smooth leaf edges, while sheltered plants have toothed edges. The tree keeps its leaves throughout the year. Sources record flowers, seeds, and old seed cones.

One source lists flowering from August to December. The flowers provide nectar, which people collect as food. People suck the flowers or soak them in water. Morning collection avoids losses to birds and drying air. Bees pollinate the flowers, and the tree attracts wildlife. Gardeners grow it as an ornamental tree. Its tolerance of wind and salt spray suits coastal gardens. It also tolerates some salt in the soil.

Give this tree sun and soil that drains well. One source allows some shade; another rules out shade. It prefers moist soil and grows well in sandy loam. Keep the soil lime-free and low in nutrients. High nitrate and phosphate levels do not suit it. Acid soil suits it best, though it tolerates neutral soil. PFAF lists USDA zones 8–11. Frost can still harm young shoots at about −1°C. Most British sites need greenhouse shelter. Outdoor growth needs a sheltered spot in the mildest areas.

The bark supplies tannin, and the wood has several uses. Its soft, pinkish wood has a clear grain. People use it for furniture and veneers. Twisted trunks can limit the wood's use. Growers also use this species as rootstock for other banksias. The supplied sources report no known hazards or medicinal uses. They do not identify specific pests or diseases. Nectar is the only edible part they name.