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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Proteaceae (Proteas) |
| Origin: Australia (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Year-round |
| Parentage: (Grevillea venusta x G. longistyla) |
| Height: 6-10 feet |
| Width: 6-8 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Grevillea 'Firesprite' - This beautiful hybrid Grevillea created by Merv Hodge was the result of crossing the stunning long-styled red-flowering Grevillea longystyla with the beautiful yellow-flowering Grevillea venusta. This plant is new to the US but reports from Australia are that 'Firesprite' grows to 9-12 feet tall (possibly to 15') by 6-8 feet wide with 10 inch long leaves that are divided into 3 to 5 narrow (3/8") lobes and are bright green on the upper surface and pale brownish cream below. During much of the year, but more so in the warmer months, appear the showy upright 5 inch tall racemes of waxy flame-red with green colored flowers. It is somewhat similar to the cultivar 'Long John' but has a slightly less upright habit and paler broader foliage. Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally to regularly. Cold hardiness is not well documented on this plant but it is likely to not be very hardy. Both parents come from the more tropical Queensland, though Grevillea longistylla grows in mountainous areas and is known to tolerate light frosts - hybrid vigor may make this plant hardier but to be safe we are only listing it to 30F as this is the temperature we know it has endured so far. It is a beautiful cut flower and a University of Sydney study indicates that the flowers exhibit fairly good vase life (9.25 days). It is great for a large specimen or as a large screening plant and it can be pruned to a neat rounded shrub. Attractive to birds.
The information about Grevillea 'Firesprite' displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We also relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we visit, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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