Grevillea plants, commonly known as spider flowers or Grevillea, are a genus of about 360 species of evergreen flowering plants in the family Proteaceae. These plants are native to Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Sulawesi.
Grevillea plants are range from ground covers to trees, and have adapted to growing from desert to high mountain zones. Most species are woody shrubs with fine needles or intricately dissected sturdy leaves. The genus was named by botanist Charles Francis Greville in the late 18th century, and they are often planted to attract pollinators like birds and bees.
Characteristics Grevillea Plants
- They are evergreen shrubs or trees with spider-like flowers and needle-like leaves.
- The flowers are zygomorphic, arranged in racemes at the ends of branchlets, and are often referred to as “spider flowers”
- The fruit is a follicle that splits down one side only, releasing one or two seeds.
- They can grow from desert to high mountain zones, and most species prefer full sun (at least 8 hours of direct sun per day) with well-drained soil.
- Some species have dense growth habits and can be used as privacy screens, while others with a more open structure can be used as specimen plants or ground covers.
- The foliage can range from bright lime-green to soft gray to blue-green.
- Many species of Grevillea are attractive to birds and insects, especially birds like honeyeaters, which feed on the nectar of the flowers.
- Grevillea plants are deer-resistant and fuss-free choices for warm temperate gardens that mimic their native Australian climate.
- The genus was first formally described in 1809 by Joseph Knight, and the name was corrected to Grevillea by Robert Brown in 1810.
- The International Union for Conservation of Nature currently has 314 species of Grevillea on the IUCN Red List, with more than 35% being in a threatened category (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable).
Types of Grevillea Plants
Grevillea ‘Superb’
This variety is a hybrid resulting from a cross between Grevillea bipinnatifida and Grevillea banksii. It can reach up to 3 meters in height and spread up to 3 meters across. The flowers of ‘Superb’ are arranged in clusters, often displaying a vibrant mix of red, pink, and yellow colors.
Grevillea ‘Honeybird Yellow’
It features green and gold foliage. It is compact grevillea with large bright yellow brush flowers produced all year round that are bird magnets. Grows to around a metre high, and has been bred to suit subtropical climates. Tolerates light frost.
Grevillea ‘Lana Maree’
A medium-sized seeding shrub with masses of pink flowers, ideal for use as a ground cover, privacy screen, or in pots, and can grow up to 2 meters in height.
Grevillea ‘Peaches and Cream’
A stunning variety growing up to 1.5 meters in height. It features long, loose flower clusters that display a mix of peach and cream colors. These flowers bloom over a long period.
Grevillea ‘Golden Lyre’
This variety features toothbrush-like flowers with petals arranged down one side of the stem. It has fascinating foliage and can grow up to 1.5 meters in height.
Grevillea ‘Ivory Whip’
A hardy and evergreen variety that can grow up to 6 meters in height and spread up to 5 meters across, making it ideal for screening or hedging.
Grevillea ‘Little Honey’
This plant is a hybrid between Grevillea ‘Honey Gem’ and Grevillea banksii “White Dwarf,” originating from Queensland, Australia. Growing up to 6 to 8 feet in height and is wider than it is tall, with leaves that are medium green above and creamy-silvery underneath.
Grevillea ‘Pink Surprise’
A beautiful variety that produces masses of pink flowers and can grow up to 1 meter in height.
Grevillea ‘Red Hooks’
A popular variety known for its vibrant red flowers and needle-like leaves, growing up to 7 feet tall and ideal for informal hedging.
Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’
A medium-sized shrub that produces bright red and yellow flowers, growing up to 2 meters in height and suitable for use as a feature plant or informal hedge.
Grevillea ‘Poorinda Royal Mantle’
Its lush foliage and red toothbrush-like flowers that appear throughout the year, with the main flowering occurring in late winter and spring. It is a hybrid between G. laurifolia and G. willisii, and is often grafted onto silky oak (Grevillea robusta) understock to form a weeping standard. This plant grows to about 0.25m (9″) tall and spreads to around 6m (20′) wide.
Grevillea ‘Pink Pearl’
It produces masses of pink flowers and can grow up to 1 meter in height. It is hardy to USDA Zone 8, which means it can withstand temperatures down to 10-20°F (-12 to -6.7°C), and it is well-suited for growing in garden boxes, pots, or as part of a low-lying hedge or shrub bed.
Grevillea ‘Royal Mantle’
A large, spreading shrub that produces large, deep red flowers and can grow up to 2 meters in height, suitable for use as a feature plant or informal hedge.
Grevillea ‘Thelemanniana’
Also known as the hummingbird bush or spider-net grevillea, this variety features yellow-tipped and firey-red flowers and is ideal for covering up bare patches of soil, growing up to 1 meter in height.