Hakea suaveolens

Name of plant: Hakea suaveolens

Family: Proteaceae 

Common names:  Sweet scented Hakea

Area of garden where plant is found:  Great Glasshouse, Western Australia.

Description: An erect shrub with grey needle like sharply tipped foliage with sweetly scented white flowers in rounded racemes. Grow in frost free conditions in equal parts of loam, leaf mould and sharp sand in full sun.

Distribution, habitat and conservation status (if known): Mediterranean climate of Western Australia.

Derivation of name: Named in honour of Baron Christian Ludwig von Hake (1745-1818), a German patron of botany.

History of plant: It was first introduced into the UK in 1803.  It was also introduced into South Africa in 1830 but has become an invasive weed there.  

Decorative and economic uses (if any): This plant is very salt tolerant and is used as a windbreak in coastal areas in Australia.
 
References and sources of further information:
J. W. Wrigley, 1991. “Banksias, Waratahs and Grevilleas, and all other Plants in the Australian Proteaceae Family”. Collins Angus and Robinson: NSW, Australia.