General Description:

Grevillea is a genus of around 380 species, most of which are endemic to Australia but a few species occur in Papua New Guinea and islands to Australia’s north. Further information on the botany, propagation and cultivation of grevilleas can be found in our dedicated Grevillea page.

Most grevilleas are small to medium shrubs but some are prostrate and a few can become large trees. Various species hybridise readily and numerous named cultivars are available resulting from either deliberate breeding or chance hybridization.

Grevillea australis has the distinction of being the only Grevillea to occur naturally in Tasmania. It is a very variable species and several botanical varieties are recognised. It grows as a dwarf to medium shrub from 0.2 to 2.5 metres high and has linear to elliptic leaves from 50 to 500 mm long by 1 to 5 mm wide. The white flowers occur in clusters along the stems mainly in winter and spring. Seeds are borne in brown, leathery follicles.

G.australis is an interesting and reliable species for cool to cold climates. It can be grown in warmer climates but flowering is often poor under those conditions. It prefers a sunny position in well drained soils. Because of the natural variation of the species, care should be excercised in selection so that a plant with the desired growth habit is obtained. It responds well to pruning and is tolerant of heavy frosts.

The species can be grown from seed which should have the brown covering peeled away for reliable germination. Cuttings from firm, current season’s growth usually strike reliably.