GREVILLEA. An incredibly varied group of mostly Australian woody plants, ranging in habit from large trees to ground-hugging mats. Their leaves may be needle-like to nearly round, entire to lobed or dissected in many different ways. Flowers are presented in round to comb-like clusters and are often quite showy. They are irregular in form, shaped (to my eyes, at least) like little elephant heads. Sun, well drained soil (usually the poorer, the better), and occasional to no supplemental watering when established. Many grevilleas are sensitive to phosphorus; never use high-phosphate fertilizers and, in general, feed them sparingly if at all. Hardiness varies. Several of the selections listed below have come from material generously provided by the U.C. Santa Cruz Arboretum, and received by them from Rodger Elliot in Australia. Western Hills Nursery provided and helped to popularize some of our earlier offerings.

alpina ‘East Grampians’. Of the  several outstanding selections of this species in the UCSC collection, ‘East Grampians’ is arguably the most beautiful. It is a low, spreading shrub probably not over 2½’ high and easily twice as wide. It is densely clad in narrow, fuzzy bright green leaves. From fall to early spring it displays clusters of orange-red and yellow blossoms all along the younger stems. Probably hardy to 15^oF.

‘Austraflora Canterbury Gold’. A chance hybrid with several outstanding features. It is a spreading shrub, up to 6’ tall and 10’ or more broad, though easily restrained by pruning. It has 1-2" lance shaped leaves, light green above and silvery beneath (as are the younger stems). It has at least a scattering of flowers most of the year, though it blooms most heavily during the cooler months. The blossoms are colored an unusual soft yellow. This has proven to be one of the hardiest selections, enduring 15^o with little damage, and one of the most disease resistant.

‘Boongala Spinebill’. This is strictly a shrub for the larger landscape, moderate in height (around 5’) but spreading at least 15’. It has long, wand-like stems and widely spaced 6" leaves, pointed-oval in outline but deeply cut into ribbon-like segments. Long, comb-like clusters of soft red flowers decorate the plant most of the year. Another selection from the UCSC Arboretum collection. Hardy to around 25^oF.

‘Canberra Gem’ (‘Canberra’). A popular shrub for large landscapes, growing 8’ tall or more, with larger spread. Its stiff branches are closely lined by dark green, needle-like leaves. It displays an abundance of cherry red flowers in spring. Around 15^oF.

‘Constance’. Perhaps even more robust than the last, with broader leaves which are dark green above, nearly white beneath. It bears large clusters of orange-red flowers all along the stems in spring, often again in fall. 15-18^oF.

crithmifolia. A plant of variable size and shape, nearly prostrate and closely branched in the current selection. The stems are crowded with narrowly divided, soft green leaves, each about 1½” long. This individual is a somewhat shy bloomer, though the flowers are attractive when seen. They are borne in small clusters and are white in color.

diminuta. A charming small shrub with dense, nearly oval 1" leaves which are dark green above and greyish beneath. Small clusters of red flowers hang below the branches (and unfortunately are half-hidden by them) in late winter and spring. Probably 15^oF. From the UCSC collection.

x gaudichaudii. One of the most unusual of the grevilleas suited for use in ground cover. It spreads to a diameter of 15’ or more, its long, willowy stems lying flat on the ground. They are lined with 3" deeply lobed leaves, maroon in new growth and dark green when mature. Brushes of dark red flowers are borne along the stems in winter and spring. Probably hardy to 20^oF or less.

juniperina ‘Sulphurea’ (G. sulphurea). The parent plant at Western Hills Nursery was about 10’ tall and at least that in breadth. It has stiff, straight stems and 1½" bright green, needle-like leaves. Light yellow flowers are massed along the stems in spring. It is one of the toughest and hardiest of the grevilleas I have tried, untouched at 15^oF.

lanigera ‘Coastal Gem’. G. lanigera has been in California for many years in one form or another, usually unnamed. ‘Coastal Gem’ is clearly the most interesting to date. This is a ground-hugging shrub, normally 1’ or less in height and 5’ or possibly more in breadth. The limber stems are crowded with furry, grey-green leaves, narrow in outline and 1/4-1/2" in length. Crowded clusters of pinkish buds develop by early fall, opening gradually into deep rose-pink and cream-colored flowers. The show may last until March or April. This is a fine low-maintenance ground cover. This is one of the first trio available under the U.C. Santa Cruz/Koala Blooms introduction program. A taller cultivar with larger, otherwise similar leaves and larger but paler flowers is widely marketed as “low form”. This one also deserves a place in the landscape, particularly where there is more ground to be covered or competitive weeds pose a problem. Hardy to around 20^oF.

lavandulacea ‘Billywing’. One of the gems of the group, forming a dense mound of narrow, fuzzy grey leaves. The plant is nearly covered in winter and early spring by clusters of bright, nearly maraschino-cherry-red blossoms. It is one of the fussier of the grevilleas about soil drainage but fairly hardy, taking sudden bouts of 18^oF or less when established. From the UCSC collection.

‘Long John’ (previously listed as johnsonii x longistyla). This is a nearly round though openly branched shrub, growing 10’ or more tall and spreading 15’ or more (not a candidate for the postage stamp yard!). It has dark, upsweeping stems and deep green leaves up to 8" long, each divided into several long, narrow lobes. In early spring it carries clusters of large, showy red and pink blossoms at every node. Often there is a scattering of flowers through summer and fall. This is a spectacular shrub, easily grown and hardy to around 20^oF.

‘Poorinda Golden Lyre’. A rounded shrub of 4-5’, with 1½" narrowly oval leaves, colored dark green above and grey beneath. It is exceptionally free blooming, bearing wheel-like clusters of soft yellow blossoms from fall to late spring. From the UCSC collection. 20^oF or less.

rivularis is a closely branched shrub growing at least 4’ tall by 10-15’ broad. It is particularly suitable for large commercial landscapes. The thick 2-3" leaves have narrow sharp-pointed divisions. Large lavender pink flower combs decorate the plant from fall through spring. Hardy to 18^oF or below.

‘Robyn Gordon’. One of the most spectacular of the hybrid grevilleas, though unfortunately too tender for inland gardens. It grows quite large, probably at least 5’ by 10’, and has large light green, deeply dissected leaves. Blooming almost continuously, it carries spectacular comb-like, bright red flower clusters along the stems. It should be presumed hardy only to 25^oF.

rosmarinifolia—dwarf pink flowered form. This has been among the most popular of the UCSC grevilleas, quite distinct from other selections of this species sold in California. It is a compact shrub, probably under 4’ tall and broader than tall. The stems are clothed in short, bright green needle-like leaves and covered from fall to early spring by dense clusters of pink and cream flowers. Their color deepens nearly to red as the weather chills in winter. This may be the cultivar ‘Vectis’, though the question has never been resolved. Exceptionally disease-resistant. 18^oF or less.

rosmarinifolia ‘Scarlet Sprite’. This is another radical departure from the forms of G. rosmarinifolia originally circulated in California. It is quite low and dense, with closely set, bright green, needle-like leaves. The flowers are a striking bright red in color.

‘Ruby Clusters’ (previously listed as oleoides x shiresii). This is my personal favorite among the UCSC menagerie. It grows at least 6’ tall and is generally broader than tall. The trunks are profusely branched, the twigs closely lined by narrow, pointed 3" leaves, colored a deep, rich green above and paler beneath. Though seldom completely out of bloom, it gives its most lavish display in early spring, with large deep red, pendant flower clusters. Easily grown and hardy to 18^oF or less.

victoriae. An erect shrub of 6’ or more, unlike most other grevilleas in appearance. Its twigs are silky grey and display narrowly oval 4" leaves which are green above, grey beneath. Large pendant clusters of orange-red flowers line the branches in spring and summer. Though the plant is drought tolerant, the flower buds tend to drop before opening under dry conditions. 15^oF or below. From the Western Hills Nursery collection.

‘White Wings’. A robust hybrid, ideal for banks and large commercial landscapes, though it may be restrained by pruning. It grows 6’ tall or more and spreads 10-15’. The leaves are about 2" long, divided into several narrow, pointed segments, and bright green in color. It bears masses of fragrant white flowers in early spring and can have a scattering at any time of year. 20^oF or less.

‘Winpara Gem’. An arching shrub, up to 8’ tall and wide, well branched, with attractive white-hairy stems. The leaves are 2-3" long, deeply and narrowly lobed, green above and silvery beneath. The flowers are borne in generous clusters along the stems, opening dark red and shifting towards orange as they age. It takes clipping well and should be useful for informal hedges and screens. 20^oF or less.