Darwinia squarrosa is a shrub with an erect and straggly habit, typically growing a height of 0.2–1 m (7.9 in – 3 ft 3.4 in).

[1] The specific epithet (squarrosa) is a Latin word meaning "rough with stiff scales, bracts or processes".

[4] The fringed mountain bell occurs on rocky slopes of the eastern peaks of the Stirling Range National Park.

[2][5] The fringed mountain bell is classified as "vulnerable" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and as "Threatened Flora (Declared Rare Flora — Extant)" by the Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia).

Grafting on stocks of Darwinia citriodora may be carried out in areas with unsuitable growing conditions.