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The grevilleas are a remarkable and beautiful group of plants. The variability between species is
incredible but characteristic to the Protea family (Proteaceae) of which they belong; the
namesake of the family, the god Proteus was noted for his ability to change his appearance and
form at will. Among the 270 or more species, almost entirely from Australia, the habit can be that of a large forest tree or a diminutive crevice plant. The color and structure of the flowers and leaf size and shape are so different in the many species that their relationship is often lost to the casual observer. Shared attributes that might be noted as common to the genus are that they are woody evergreen plants that usually have interestingly intricate and beautiful flowers. Plant grevilleas for their flower display, their foliage and for their ability to attract nectar-feeding birds to the garden.
As the plants are a diverse group, there are a wide range of conditions that they will grow under. The following generalized statements regarding the cultivation of grevilleas would apply to a majority of the plants in cultivation. Grevilleas flower best in sunny, dry locations although they will also grow in light shade. Plant in well-draining soil and be very careful of any fertilizers applied to these plants; many Grevillea, especially Western Australian species, are highly sensitive to phosphorus and the use of fertilizers high in this element can be fatal to these plants. They also do not like excessive watering and garden water tolerance or ability to grow near lawns will be exceptions rather than the rule. Regular pruning after flowering is recommended to enhance and rejuvenate flowering and plant growth. Most varieties are drought tolerant, as well as frost hardy down to 20 º F. .
Grevillea 'Austraflora Fanfare’
A low growing spreading shrub to under 1 foot tall by up to 15 feet wide. Long leaves, very coarsely cut in a sawtooth pattern, are a good foil to bush-like clusters of dark red flowers. Heavy flowering occurs spring through late fall. Prune to keep plant dense. Good in full sun to moderate shade. Plant in a well drained soil and irrigate occasionally to very little durring summer. Hardy to 20-25 F º.
Grevillea banksii - Red Silky Oak
A large shrub to 15 ft tall with 10 inch long, dark green leaves that are deeply lobed and bright red cylindrical flower spikes that bloom off and on year-round. This Grevillea does well near the ocean but does not like temperatures below 24º degrees F. We no longer offer this plant
Grevillea 'Canberra Gem' (G. 'Canberra')
A medium sized shrub to 6 to 8 ft. tall with equal spread. 'Canberra Gem' forms a dense shrub with arching branches, and deep green, needle-like leaves. Showy clusters of rose red flowers form along the branches in winter and spring. A tough adaptable shrub that tolerates dry situations or irrigated garden conditions. A good barrier plant. See also Grevillea 'Pink Pearl' for its similarities. We no longer offer this plant
Grevillea juniperina 'Low Form'
A mounding shrub to 2 feet tall by up to 10 feet wide with prickly needle-like foliage that is dark green above and lighter beneath. From fall through until spring the coral red flowers hang in clusters beneath the branches. Plant in full sun to light shade in a well drained soil. Hardy to 20°F to 25°F. May be the same as 'Prostrate Rubra'.
Grevillea lanigera - Wooly Grevillea
A bushy mounding shrub to 5 feet tall and as wide, with narrow gray-green leaves that are slightly hairy. Reddish cream curved flowers form in clusters throughout the plant in late winter and spring. It tolerates moist soil and partial shade and is cold hardy to at least 18 º F.
Grevillea lanigera 'Coastal Gem'- UCSC Koala Bloom 2001 Plant Introduction
A low spreading grondcover with crowded narrow greyish-green leaves on prostrate stems. Grows to 1 foot tall by 4 feet across. The tight clusters of pinkish-red and cream flowers are abundantly produced at the ends of branchlets in winter and spring . Best in neutral to slightly acidic soil. Full sun to light shade. An exellent plant for a rock garden, border or groundcover. Hardy to moderate frosts. Attracts nectar feeding birds.
Grevillea lanigera 'Prostrate Form' - Prostrate Wooly Grevillea
A low, dense ground cover/shrub to 4 feet wide with small, narrow gray-green foliage that is soft and wooly. The cream and pink flowers clusters form at the stem tips in winter and spring. The densely clothed branches are spiral-shaped, resembling Asparagus d. 'Meyers'. Plant in the same conditions as the species.
Grevillea lavandulacea 'Penola'
A 4-5 ft tall shrub with grey foliage and interesting, rose-red flowers on arching brances fall through spring. 20-25° F. Makes a good container plant and can be kept compact with heavy pruning.
Grevillea 'Long John' (G. longistyla x G. johnsonii)
An dense rounded shrub (8'x12') with thin, long, somewhat soft, needle-like leaves along vertical branches . Large, dark rose-pink and white flower clusters form on the ends of branches. Can be used for cut flowers. Hardy to the mid 20º F.
Grevillea 'Magic Lantern' (G. 'Gilded Dragon')
An evergreen shrub with coral-red flowers that are striking against the grey feathery foliage - a good bloomer in the fall and winter This plant stays low (below 3 feet) and spreads to 6 feet. Will tolerate some alkalinity. Hardy to 28 degrees F. This Grevillea flowers on older wood so avoid avoid cutting back in summer months. Sometimes grown as Grevillea 'Gilded Dragon'.
Grevillea 'Noel' - California Grevillea
A small, mounding shrub (4'x8') with pendulous
branches covered with glossy green, needle-like leaves and curved pinkish flowers that form
along the branches in mid-spring. Needs occasional irrigation; fairly drought resistant in coastal plantings. Tolerates a wide range of conditions but becomes chlorotic when exposed to
phosphorus fertilizer. Hardy to 20 º F. We no longer offer this plant
Grevillea paniculata
A wide spreading shrub to 5 feet tall with bright green, prickly leaves
and small, fragrant white flowers that form along the branches in late winter and spring. Very
useful as a large scale ground cover on sloping banks. Good barrier plant. Hardy to at least 18 º F. We no longer offer this plant
Grevillea 'Pink Pearl'
A dense mounding shrub to 6 feet tall. 'Pink Pearl' is similar to G. 'Canberra Gem', but the stems and leaves are not as stiff and the showier rose pink flowers are borne in terminal clusters at the branch tips. Frost hardy to the low 20º's F.
Grevillea 'Poorinda Blondie'
A vigorous shrub to 9 feet tall with equal to wider spread. It has dark green deeply lobed leaves and bears masses of yellow toothbrush-shaped flowers. It is fast-growing and will grow well in both humid and in dry conditions. It is moderately frost-resistant and responds well to pruning after blossoming. An excellent plant to use for screening. We no longer offer this plant
Grevillea 'Poorinda Constance'
A medium sized dense shrub to 6 feet tall by 8 feet or more wide with bronze-green, needle-like leaves and spidery clusters of orange-red flowers that form along the branches year-round. A tough and dependable plant.
Grevillea 'Poorinda Queen'
A medium sized dense growing shrub to 6 feet tall and equal spread with bronze-green, needle-like leaves. The curved, pale apricot pink flowers form spidery clusters along the branches year-round. A tough and adaptable plant for many situations. Tolerates alkaline soils, limited amount of waterlogged soils and is fairly frost hardy.
Grevillea 'Red Hooks' (G. hookeriana - Hort.)
A robust shrub to 7 ft. tall, with wide-spreading branches and long, deeply lobed leaves. Bright red, toothbrush flower heads bloom August to January. A popular, ornamental cultivar great for formal or informal hedging in large areas, that responds well to pruning. Grows best in sun or light shade and can tolerate light frosts. 20-25° F
Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'(G. bipinnatifida x G. banksii)
A long blooming shrubby plant with large salmon-rose flowers on the plant most of the year and deeply divided leaves. Grows to be a dense 6 foot tall and as wide shrub. Frost damage will occur at 25 degrees F and complete death at 20 degrees F. One of the most popular Grevilleas in cultivation in Australia. Noted for long bloom and stunning flowers.
Grevillea rosmarinifolia 'Scarlet Sprite'
A mounding, compact shrub to 4-5 feet tall by 8 feet wide with soft-textured needle-like leaves. The rosey-pink and cream colored flowers are showy during the winter and spring. Hardy to 20 F.
Grevillea thelemanniana ssp. filioba - Spider Net Grevillea
A small, upright and graceful shrub to 5 feet tall with soft, fine gray green leaves that are slightly hairy and spidery clusters of red flowers that form at the ends of the branches off and on throughout the year. Plant in a warm site as it is sensitive to temperatures below 25º F.
Grevillea victoriae - Royal Grevillea
A dense upright shrub to 8 feet tall with gray-green leaves that have silvery undersides. The rusty-red flowers form in pendulous clusters that bloom in winter and spring. This fast growing shrub will grow in partial shade and tolerates very cold conditions including frost and snow. We no longer offer this plant
Grevillea 'Wakiti Sunrise' ((G. bipinnafida x 'Poorinnda Illumina'?)
A mounding groundcover to 3 feet tall by 8 feet wide with distinct grey-green leaves that are coarsely divided into five leaflets. The eye-catching apricot orange flowers bloom fall through spring. Full sun to part shade and tolerant of heat, cold, soil and alkalinity.
Grevillea 'Winpara Gem'
A large shrub to 8 feet tall with soft, silvery gray-green fern-like leaves and small deep coral red flower clusters that are displayed at the branch tips in fall and winter. The new growth is attractively covered with coppery-brown hairs. Plant in full sun to part shade and water sparingly, if at all. 'Winpara Gem' should prove frost hardy to 25º F. We no longer offer this plant
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