Some frost-hardy hybrids can be grown inUSDA hardiness zones8 to 11 and along U.S. eastern and western seaboards.
Grevilleas are valued for their unusual winter flowers often described as ‘spidery.’
Foliage is evergreen and varies widely.
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In cold winter climates, smaller cultivars can be container-grown to overwinter indoors or in a heated greenhouse.
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Planting
In USDA growing zones 8 to 11 plant grevilleas in spring.
Many bloom the first year but others may take two years to establish.
Autumn planting is recommended for growers living in four-season climates.
Mulch for winter protection.
Choose a location with six to eight hours of sun or one with some afternoon shade.
Dig a hole twice as wide and deep enough to accommodate the rootball.
Work compost into heavy, clay soils to improve drainage.
Water thoroughly before setting in the transplant.
Keep the top of the rootball level with the surrounding soil.
Backfill and water a second time.
Light
Grevillea blooms best in full sun.
Some shade is beneficial in climates with extreme afternoon heat.
Watering
Keep transplants moist until established.
After root systems develop, grevilleas are drought tolerant with some cultivars well-suited toxeriscapesand waterwise gardens.
Pruning
Grevilleas respond well to pruning.
Deadhead and trim back foliage after a flush of blooms to shape and maintain a tidy appearance.
Heaviest blooms occur autumn through early spring with some flowers present year round.
Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and nectar-feeding birds including hummingbirds.
‘Moonlight’ grows rapidly as a bushy shrub up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
Dark green foliage is gray underneath, fernlike and evergreen in its hardiness zones of USDA 8 to 11.
Dark green foliage is finely divided and pendulous, creating an open, airy look.
‘Lady O’ grows quickly to a height and spread of 4- to 6-feet.
Salt tolerant, the shrub is suited to dry, mesic, and coastal areas.
Grevillea victoriae
Cold hardy to 0F, cultivars of the speciesG.
victoriaegrow successfully in USDA zone 8 and coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest.
Gray-green, oval leaves set off pendulous orangish-red, 3-inch flowers autumn through early spring.
Pinkish-red and cream flowers bloom autumn through spring with gray-green foliage that resembles coniferous evergreens.
The greatest bloom times depend on specific hybrids but many produce some flowers year-round.
Popular cultivars of thelanigeraspecies include ‘Coastal Gem’ and ‘Mt.
Grevillea ‘New Blood’
‘New Blood’ is a hybrid stemming from the speciesG.
rhyolitica.It forms a low, spreading groundcover with showy red flowers year round.
The heaviest bloom lasts from autumn through spring.
Leaves are small, dark green, and needle-like.
‘New Blood’ is cold hardy to -5F and grows well in containers.
Other species and cultivars range in size from less than 12-inch tall ground covers to large shrubs.
Deer stay away grevillea due to an irritating compound present in the leaves and flowers.
Grevillea is considered toxic to humans and animals.
Leaves and flowers can cause skin irritation and trigger adverse effects if eaten.
