Spider Flower, Silky Oak, Toothbrush Plant
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Grevillea, a captivating genus of evergreen shrubs and trees known for their stunning flowers, unique foliage, and ability to attract a myriad of pollinators to your garden.
Native: Grevillea are mostly native to Australia, New Caledonia, and Papua New Guinea, where they inhabit a wide range of ecological niches.
Description and Growth Habit: Grevillea is part of the Proteaceae family and consists of about 360 species and over 1000 cultivars, a number that keeps increasing due to the vivid interest in the plants. They vary in growth habit from low-growing groundcovers and mid-sized shrubs to tall trees.
Size: Depending on the species and growing conditions, Grevillea can range from less than a foot (30 cm) tall for some ground-cover species to over 30 feet (9 meters) tall for tree-like species.
Flowers and Foliage: The flowers are unique, often described as spider-like or toothbrush-like due to the arrangement of their many individual flowers in a cluster. They come in a wide array of colors, including red, pink, yellow, cream, and more. The evergreen foliage is often finely dissected and can be needle-like, but varies widely among different species and cultivars.
Blooming Season: Most Grevilleas have a long blooming season, often producing flowers for many months of the year. Some can even bloom nearly year-round in favorable conditions.
Hardiness: Hardiness varies widely depending on species, with some suited to tropical conditions and others able to tolerate light frosts.
Uses: Grevilleas are popular in landscaping for their unique flowers, attractive foliage, and their tolerance of poor soils and dry conditions. Some varieties also make excellent privacy screens or hedges.
Pollinators: The flowers are excellent for attracting pollinators, especially birds and bees. The nectar-rich flowers are particularly attractive to honeyeaters and lorikeets in their native range.
Toxicity: Some species can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Deer and Rabbit: Grevilleas are generally not favored by deer, making them a good choice in areas where these animals are problematic.
Drought: Grevilleas are notably drought-tolerant once established, and many species are well-adapted to dry, sandy soils.
Invasiveness: Some Grevilleas have been known to become invasive outside their native range, such as Grevillea robusta in parts of Africa.
Key Facts: Many species of Grevillea have been cultivated for ornamental use and have been hybridized to produce an array of garden-worthy varieties. They’re a key element of xeriscaping and are admired for their resilience and unique aesthetic appeal.
Unique Beauty: Grevilleas are known for their distinctive and beautiful flowers, often quite different from typical garden blooms. These blossoms come in a variety of vibrant colors and have a unique, spider-like shape.
Attract Wildlife: Their nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to pollinators, making Grevillea plants a great addition if you’re looking to attract bees, butterflies, and especially birds to your garden.
Drought Tolerance: Grevilleas are extremely drought-tolerant once established, making them a suitable choice for water-wise gardens or for areas prone to drought.
Versatility: Grevilleas come in various sizes and growth habits, ranging from groundcovers and shrubs to large trees. This makes them quite versatile and suitable for different roles in your landscape, such as providing a focal point, serving as a backdrop, or offering ground cover.
Low Maintenance: These plants are generally low-maintenance, requiring little pruning and resisting most pests and diseases. Many varieties also tolerate poor or sandy soils.
Deer and Rabbit Resistant: If you have issues with deer in your garden, Grevilleas can be an excellent choice, as these animals typically avoid them.
Year-Round Interest: Many species of Grevillea bloom nearly year-round, providing continuous interest in the garden when other plants have ceased their show.
Foliage Variety: Grevillea species display a wide range of leaf forms, from needle-like to fern-like. The texture and color of their foliage add to their appeal and provide visual interest even when the plant is not in bloom.
In summary, if you are looking for a plant that is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and beautiful, with the added bonus of attracting wildlife, Grevillea is an excellent choice.
| Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Genus | Grevillea |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Hummingbirds, Bees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Wall-Side Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
Designing a garden with Grevillea can offer a visually pleasing landscape due to its unique flowers, textured foliage, and different growth habits. Here are some ways to integrate Grevillea into your garden:
Mixed Borders: Grevillea works well in mixed borders, particularly with other drought-tolerant, Mediterranean, or Australian native plants. Its unique flowers and foliage can add an exciting contrast to the landscape.
Bird Garden: As a magnet for nectar-feeding birds, Grevillea is an excellent choice for a bird-friendly garden. Pair it with other bird-attracting plants like Eucalyptus and Callistemon to create a lively and active space for local wildlife.
Drought-tolerant Gardens: Given its resilience to dry conditions, Grevillea is an ideal choice for water-wise or xeriscape gardens. It pairs well with other drought-tolerant plants like Agave, Euphorbia, and Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos).
Coastal Gardens: Many Grevillea species are well-suited to coastal conditions, tolerating sandy soils and salt spray. Combine with other coastal-loving plants such as Westringia and Casuarina.
Focal Point: Larger varieties, like Grevillea robusta (Silk Oak), can serve as striking focal points in the landscape due to their height, striking flowers, and architectural shape.
Ground Cover: Smaller spreading varieties make excellent ground covers, especially on slopes or areas with poor soil. They can suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion.
Privacy Screens and Hedges: Some taller, bushier varieties of Grevillea make excellent privacy screens or hedges. Their rapid growth and dense habit can provide an attractive and quick solution for privacy needs.
Containers: Smaller, compact varieties of Grevillea can be grown in containers, allowing for flexibility and the opportunity to bring a touch of Australian beauty to patios, decks, and other outdoor living spaces.
In your design, consider the specific needs of the Grevillea species or varieties you choose. Most will require a sunny location and well-draining soil. The diversity of the Grevillea genus allows it to fulfill many roles in a garden, from a stunning standalone specimen to a crucial component of a vibrant and varied border.
When choosing companion plants for Grevillea, consider plants that share similar growing conditions. Grevillea generally prefers well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade, and is quite drought-tolerant once established. Here are some plants that can complement Grevillea in a garden setting:
Eucalyptus: These Australian natives share many of the same requirements as Grevillea and make a good match in a garden setting.
Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos): Another Australian native, Kangaroo Paw has unique, paw-shaped flowers that can contrast nicely with Grevillea’s spider-like blooms.
Banksia: Banksias are a group of Australian native plants with striking flowers and textured foliage that can pair well with Grevillea.
Callistemon (Bottlebrush): Known for their bright, brush-like flowers, Callistemon species are great companions for Grevillea, especially in a bird-attracting garden.
Westringia (Australian Rosemary): This Australian native shrub, with its delicate leaves and subtle flowers, can provide a nice textural contrast to the bold shapes and colors of Grevillea.
Agave: These succulents enjoy similar sunny and well-drained conditions, and their rosette forms can provide a lovely contrast to Grevillea.
Lavender: This Mediterranean plant shares Grevillea’s love for full sun and well-draining soil, and its muted color palette can nicely complement Grevillea’s vibrant hues.
Sedum (Stonecrop): Many sedum species are also drought-tolerant and would work well in a xeriscape or rock garden alongside Grevillea.
Grasses: Ornamental grasses like Fountain Grass (Pennisetum) or Maiden Grass (Miscanthus) can add movement and contrast to the bold shapes of Grevillea.
Remember that when choosing companion plants, it’s also important to consider their growth habits to ensure they won’t overcrowd or outcompete each other. Always ensure the companions have similar needs in terms of light, water, and soil to keep all the plants happy and healthy.
Growing Grevillea successfully involves understanding its native environment and replicating those conditions as much as possible. Here are some steps to guide you:
Location: Choose a location with full sun or partial shade. In hotter climates, a little afternoon shade can be beneficial.
Soil: Grevillea prefers well-draining soil. It doesn’t do well in clay or heavy soils, so if your soil is heavy, consider amending it with organic matter to improve drainage or planting Grevillea in a raised bed or mound.
Planting: When planting, dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. Place the plant in the hole and backfill, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface. Firm the soil gently around the plant.
Watering: After planting, water well, ensuring the soil is thoroughly moistened. Grevillea is drought-tolerant once established, but will need regular watering until it gets established. Even after that, while it can tolerate periods of dryness, it will do better with regular watering.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the plant to help retain moisture, but be sure not to pile it up against the stem as this could cause it to rot.
Feeding: Grevillea doesn’t need a lot of feeding. In fact, it can be sensitive to high levels of phosphorus, so if you do fertilize, make sure to use a low-phosphorus, slow-release fertilizer.
Pruning: Pruning can help to maintain a good shape and encourage more prolific blooming. The best time to prune is after the plant has flowered.
Propagation: Propagation is from half-hardened cuttings; a few cultivars are grafted, and the species may be raised from seed.
Pest and Disease: Grevillea is generally hardy and pest-resistant. Root rot can be an issue if the soil is not well-draining.
Remember that Grevillea comprises a wide range of species, so specific care instructions might vary slightly depending on the species and variety. Always check the care instructions for your specific Grevillea.
(c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com
| Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
| Genus | Grevillea |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Birds, Hummingbirds, Bees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Wall-Side Borders |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
