Grevilleas are beautiful Australian natives. With green leaves and red flowers that tend to be popular with butterflies and bees, this plant can make a wonderful addition to a garden. Grevilleas tend to be pretty hardy, and with a range of different varieties available, can be grown as a tree, a shrub or as a ground cover.
Want to learn how to grow grevilleas? Read on!
About the grevillea
The grevillea is a native plant with stunning flowers that can be red, pink, orange or yellow, depending on the species. Grevilleas love the sun, and should be planted in well-draining soil. The grevillea plant is evergreen, keeping its leaves and colour throughout the year. Keep in mind that some people are allergic to the leaves of the grevillea, so try to plant them away from areas where people walk by.
Different types of grevillea
There are more than 350 species of grevillea, so you have plenty to choose from! Some varieties, such as the Royal Grevillea and Lady O can handle cold climates, while others such as Royal Rambler and Carpet Layer are ideal as ground covers. With so many types of grevillea out there, there’s sure to be a type to fit your garden.
How to grow grevillea
Step 1: Purchase your grevillea
Choose the grevillea plant you would like to bring into your garden. If you’re seeking a plant for shade, choose a variety of grevillea that grows tall, if you’re looking for a ground cover plant, choose a species of grevillea that grows across the ground. Grevilleas are commonly grown from seedlings, as this tends to be a little easier than growing from seed. For this how to, we will be covering how to grow grevillea from seedlings.
Step 2: Pick a spot
Grevilleas love sunny spots, but can grow in partial shade too. These sun-loving plants tend to produce the most flowers when in a position with plenty of sunshine. It’s important to ensure your grevillea has well-draining soil, as these plants don’t like to feel bogged down. Choose a spot that gives your grevillea plenty of space to spread. Growing grevilleas in pots is also an option for more compact species.
Step 3: Prepare the location
The location of your grevillea plant doesn’t require too much preparation. Simply dig a hole in your chosen spot! Grevilleas are native to Australia, and as such as fine with being planted directly into unmodified soil (as long as it drains well!). If you like, you can add a little low-phosphorus fertiliser into the soil to give your plant a bit of a boost.
Step 4: Plant your grevillea
Remove the grevillea from its pot and gently massage the roots apart. These plants don’t like their roots played with, so touch the roots as little as possible while gently separating them. Place the grevillea in your growing spot, and cover the roots with soil. Add a little mulch to the base of the plant, and give it a water.
Step 5: Water and care for your grevillea plant
Grevilleas are pretty drought-tolerant, and once established, don’t require too much watering. This makes them well-suited for areas of Australia that often experience drought conditions. Prune your plant during the summer months to encourage more grevillea flower growth.
