Hakea bucculenta (Red Pokers) - Large upright bushy shrub that can reach 8 to 15 feet tall by 9 feet wide but is usually much smaller in cultivation. It has 10 inch long bright green narrow linear leaves and tapered upward spikes (axillary racemes) to 10 inches long of red flowers in late winter into spring that are mostly held on older wood but the leaves are so thin that the flowers are quite evident within the canopy . The fruit that follows are gray and in clusters. Plant in full sun and irrigate only occasionally to very little once established. It requires VERY good soil drainage without mulch around its base. It is cold hardy to 20 F. Lightly prune to shape. This is described as one of the most ornamental of the Hakea and is a great specimen plant for the garden that also is attractive to nectar feeding birds and bees. Grows in sandy soils in the northern sand plains from Geraldton to Shark Bay in Western Australia, often in thickets. The name for the genus honors Baron Christian L. von Hake, a 18th and 19th century German patron of botany and the specific epithet meaning full-cheeked comes from the Latin word 'bucca' meaning a cheek and the suffix '-ulentus' indicating a marked development in reference to the swollen fruit which are rarely seen in cultivation. Image on this page courtesy of Jo O'Connell of Australian Native Plant Nursery. This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We will also incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information about this plant, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Hakea bucculenta.