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 preissii is a small shrub to about 1 metre high, although completely prostrate forms occur. Leaves are greyish green to green up to 60 mm long by 40 mm wide and pinnate in form (divided into narrow lobes). They may be hairy or glabrous. The bright red flowers occur in pendent clusters at the ends of the branches or in the leaf axils in winter and spring.

Two subspecies are recognised (subsp. preissii and subsp. glabrilimba) which differ mainly in structure of the hairs on the flowers and foliage.

G.preissii has been regarded in the past as a subspecies of G.thelemanniana and may still be found in nurseries and gardens under the latter name. Several forms are in cultivation including:

• Prostrate green leaf form – well established in cultivation as a reliable form (still often sold as G.thelemanniana)
• ‘Superior’ form – shrub to 1 metre with very conspicuous and large flower clusters
• ‘Magic Lantern’ – a form of subspecies glabrilimba. This small shrub with silvery foliage is less hardy than other forms.

While probably best suited to areas with a dry summer climate, it has proven to be adaptable to more humid areas of the east coast (eg. coastal areas of New South Wales and south-east Queensland). It should be grown in a warm, sunny or semi-shaded location in well drained soils. Like most grevilleas, the flowers attract honeyeating birds.

The species can be grown from seed which should be “nicked” with a sharp knife prior to sowing to improve germination. Cuttings from firm, current season’s growth can be slow to strike and success is improved by using a root promoting hormone.