Grevilleas, members of the diverse Proteaceae family, offer an incredible array of forms for the discerning home gardener. From our perspective, selecting the right variety is about understanding our fundamental needs: space, sunlight, soil, and sustenance. We will outline the key characteristics of several popular types to help you find the perfect botanical partner.
For us, growth habit is paramount. This variety is a prostrate species, meaning we grow horizontally rather than vertically. Our stems will spread vigorously, creating a dense mat that can cover a large area, suppress weeds, and stabilize slopes. Our foliage is a deep, lush green with bronze new growth, providing year-round textural interest. We require well-drained soil and full sun to thrive. From our viewpoint, we are an excellent choice for filling difficult, sunny banks or sprawling over retaining walls, but we demand space to roam and would not be happy in a confined planter.
We represent the ideal of a neat, rounded form for smaller gardens or container life. Our growth is dense and bushy, typically reaching about 1.5 meters in height and spread. Our small, narrow leaves resemble rosemary, providing a fine, evergreen backdrop. Our main attraction is our prolific flowering; we produce clusters of spidery pink and cream flowers throughout the year, which are a rich source of nectar for birds. We are highly adaptable, tolerating light frost and a range of soil types as long as they are free-draining. We require minimal pruning to maintain our shape, making us a low-maintenance choice.
We are a tree, and it is crucial to understand our scale from the outset. We possess a bold, upright growth habit and can eventually reach significant heights. Our foliage is magnificent: large, fern-like leaves that are deep green above and silvery-white underneath, creating a stunning visual effect when stirred by the wind. In spring, we produce spectacular displays of golden-orange flowers. However, our root system is extensive and can be invasive. From our perspective, we are only suitable for very large properties, away from buildings, drains, and other infrastructure. We are not a variety for the average suburban backyard.
Our defining feature is our foliage. We have sharp, prickly, juniper-like leaves that can be various shades of green, gold, or even red-bronze, depending on the cultivar. This textural quality makes us an excellent barrier or habitat plant for small birds. Our growth habit is typically a low, spreading shrub, though some forms are more upright. We produce curious spider-flowers, usually in shades of red, yellow, or apricot. We are exceptionally hardy, tolerating frost, drought, and poor soils. Our key requirement is excellent drainage and full sun to part shade. We ask that you handle us with care due to our prickly nature.
