In our garden we have a fine specimen of Banksia aemula approximately ten years old and standing about 4 metres high. This tree is closely related to B. serrata, the only real difference being the stigma of the flower, which is conical and blunt compared with the longer cylindrical stigma of B. serrata. B. aemula is now considered to be the correct name for this species, which is often called B. serratifolia.

Serrated leaves, up to 20cm long and 1-2cm wide, are shiny green on top and a lighter dull green underneath, with new growth a rusty brown. Flower spikes are up to 23 cm long. They are a fresh silvery green colour, which fades through yellow to brown with age. Mature cones show large seed capsules half hidden beneath the grey remains of the flowers. Our tree has been flowering since April and still has buds appearing in August. Propagation is from seed which germinates easily.

Bark is a lovely rough dark grey with orange showing through from underneath and is most attractive. Bearded dragons seem to like to rest on the branches.

Birds which are attracted to this Banksia include rainbow lorikeets, leatherheads, honeyeaters and silvereyes. They perch on the flower and are a delight to watch as they sip the nectar. The spangled drongo also uses this tree, but seems to prefer the Grevilleas which grow alongside it.

B. aemula is a common plant on much of the central and southern coast of Queensland and on Fraser Island. The sandy coastal heaths are commonly known in Queensland as "the wallum", an Aboriginal name for this Banksia. Many of our delightful wild flowers grow in company with the Wallum Banksia, B. aemula, which extends south along the coast as far as Sydney.

With its attractive bark, foliage and the colours of flowers and cones at different stages of development, B. aemula is a fine specimen tree and very valuable for attracting native birds to coastal gardens.