The genus Hakea is endemic to Australia and part of the Proteaceae family, named after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his form at will, which gives you some idea of the diversity in this fascinating and highly ornamental group of plants.
While not as well known as their famous cousins, grevilleas and banksias, hakeas are excellent garden plants for their showy winter flowers, their attractiveness as wildlife habitat and their toughness and drought tolerance.
There are some spectacular hakeas in cultivation and they are outstanding ornamentals for both the flowers and attractive woody seed capsules that also lend themselves to home floristry projects.
Hakeas are found in every Australian state, with the highest diversity of
