From my perspective as a Grevillea, the most important thing to understand is how I grow. I am not a plant that responds well to harsh, all-over haircuts. My growth pattern is often a bit wild and architectural; I flower on new growth that emerges from just behind where a previous flower was. If you cut me back to a point with no visible leaf nodes or buds (into what's called "old wood"), I may struggle to regenerate from that point. This is why timing and technique are so crucial. You must work with my natural form, not against it.
My internal calendar is key. The best time to give me a shape-up is immediately after my main flowering flush has finished. This timing is perfect because it allows me ample time to produce new growth, which will then develop the flower buds for the next season. For most of my varieties, this means pruning in late spring or early summer. Avoid pruning me in late autumn or winter. The cooler temperatures and reduced sunlight slow down my growth processes, making it harder for me to heal the cuts and produce new shoots, leaving me vulnerable and potentially stunted.
Please, no hedge trimmers! The best way to maintain my shape is through a method you call tip-pruning or pinching. This simply means using sharp, clean secateurs to snip off the tips of my young, soft shoots. This encourages me to become bushier by stimulating growth from the leaf nodes just below the cut, resulting in a denser, more compact form. For larger, more established branches that are spoiling my shape, practice selective removal. Choose a wayward branch and trace it back to its point of origin, either to a main trunk or a larger lateral branch, and make a clean cut there. This looks far more natural than arbitrarily cutting me halfway along a branch.
While your goal is shape, this process is also an opportunity to improve my health. As you work, please look for and remove the three D's: dead, damaged, and diseased wood. This prevents energy waste and deters pests. Also, look for any branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other, as this friction creates wounds that are entry points for infection. Removing a small amount of older growth from deep within my canopy allows for better air circulation and light penetration, which I greatly appreciate. It reduces the risk of fungal diseases and promotes stronger growth throughout my structure.
After you have finished shaping me, I will be a little stressed as I divert energy to healing and producing new growth. I would be very grateful for a deep, gentle watering around my root zone to help me recover. Please do not fertilize me immediately with a high-phosphorus fertilizer; it is harsh on my sensitive roots. A light application of a low-phosphorus, native plant-specific blend a few weeks later is ideal. With this careful approach, you will allow me to retain my natural character while keeping me looking tidy and thriving in your garden.
