Three Rare Grevilleas
Warren and Gloria Sheather
Grevillea rhyolitica comes from southern New South Wales and is commonly known as 'Deua Flame' because one of its main strongholds is Deua National Park. We think that this species should be called 'Durable Flame' because it is so hardy. Our original specimen has endured a protracted drought and severe winter without any ill effects. Our 'Deua Flame' is nearly always covered with large clusters of red flowers. The plant is 0.5 m tall but would be taller only most new shoots are removed for cuttings. Another quality of 'Deua Flame' is that it is one of the easiest grevilleas to propagate from cuttings. Our cuttings usually strike in about three weeks. Our aim is to have 'Deua Flame' represented in every garden bed.
Grevillea iaspicula is another rare species from southern New South Wales. The species occurs in the Wee Jasper area of the Snowy Mountains. The species name refers to its geographical location; iaspis is Latin for jasper and ul means small (Olde & Marriott Vol 2). Our specimens have reached a height of one and a half metres (once again height has been restricted due to the removal of cutting material). Grevillea iaspicula has proved to be another hardy, free flowering species. Our plants carry clusters of pink flowers for many months. In common with 'Deua Flame', cuttings strike readily in a very short time.
Grevillea scortechinii subsp sarmentosa occurs closer to home. It is found in the Guyra area north of Armidale. Grevillea scortechinii is usually a ground cover with prickly, lobed leaves and unusual purplish-black toothbrush flowers. It will sometimes scramble onto surrounding shrubs. This species has great horticultural potential. With judicious pruning it will develop into a dense, weed suppressing ground cover. The flowers are an eye-catching feature. Some populations are at risk as they occur along roadsides. Over the past couple of years its survival, in the wild, looks rosier (sorry about the exotic reference). Large populations occur in an area now managed, for conservation, by the local Aboriginal Land Council and other populations are protected in the recently dedicated Warra National Park. Once the species is widely cultivated its survival will be completely assured. In common with the two other species, Grevillea scortechinii strikes readily from cuttings. Grevillea scortechinii subsp. scortechinii is similar in appearance and occurs in the Stanthorpe area in southern Queensland.
From "Native Plants for New South Wales", the newsletter of the NSW Region of the Australian Plants Society, July 2003.
Australian Plants online - 2008
Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
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