 Banksia violacea is rarely cultivated . It is a slow @-@ growing plant that tends to become untidy with age , and generally does not flower until four to five years after sprouting from seed . Flowers are an unusual colour , but occur within the bush where they grow within and are usually obscured by foliage . It <unk> light <unk> not below the green foliage , except for the variant with a lignotuber , which may be <unk> heavily . George recommends a sunny position in light , sandy soil . Professor Margaret Bernard <unk> of the <unk> Institute suggests the species is of no value to <unk> , as the inflorescences are too small and obscured by the foliage , although she does add that the purple colour may be a worthwhile character to select for in plant breeding . <unk> do not require any treatment , and take 19 to 50 days to germinate . 
