|
Greyia sutherlandii (Natal Bottlebrush) - A large semi-deciduous shrub or small tree to 6 to 9+ feet tall and as wide. On swollen branches are borne broad leathery heart-shaped leaves to 4 inches long with serrated edges that are reminiscent of a large geranium leaf. Leaves often have red tinges by fall. In late winter and early spring emerge the spikes of brilliant scarlet flowers that are held in cylindrical masses to 5 inches long by 4 inches wide at the tips of the branches. The flowers, which have waxy bright red 1/2-inch-long petals and protruding stamens bearing yellow pollen emerge prior to or around the same time as new leaves.
Plant in full sun and water occasionally if at all in summer months as it is a drought tolerant plant - an old specimen at Franceschi Park in Santa Barbara has survived years without any irrigation and was the source of seed for us for many years. This plant also tolerates heavy soils and temperatures down to around 25 degrees F. This is an interesting and attractive plant in the garden, and the flowers of Natal Bottlebrush are good cut for flower arranging.
Greyia sutherlandii comes from the eastern Cape, Natal and the Transvaal areas of South Africa. The genus was named to honor Sir George Grey, governor of the Cape Colony and the specific epithet honors Dr. Peter Cormack Sutherland, a Scottish physician and the person who first delivered a specimen of this plant back to England in 1850. We first grew this plant in 1986 but discontinued in 1989 then grew it again between 2004 and 2010. We love this outrageous looking plant when in bloom, but it often holds older leaves so looks a bit rough at other times. We really liked the plant and always thought we would grow it again if we got enough requests and could get some fresh seed. Our thanks go out to John Bleck who first introduced us to the cultivated specimen he had at University of California Santa Barbara Biology Department greenhouses and to Dylan Hannon, curator of the Huntington Botanical Garden Conservatory, who also provided us with seed for some of our crops.
The information displayed on this page about Greyia sutherlandii is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
|
