Grevillea Gardening Guide: Best Varieties for Perth's Climate

When the summer heat intensifies, grevilleas truly come into their own, becoming standout features in any landscape. These resilient plants not only add vibrant colour but also play a crucial role in supporting local wildlife. Their flowers are magnets for birds, insects, honey possums, and other nectar-seeking creatures, making them an eco-friendly choice for gardeners.

With 377 species and 99 subspecies, along with numerous hybrids, grevilleas offer a diverse range of options for Perth gardens. Among the most prized are the elegant standardised grevilleas, which are grafted onto Grevillea robusta rootstock. These plants are highly valued as feature specimens due to their stunning appearance and adaptability.

Nearly all grevilleas thrive in full sun and require well-draining soil. It is essential to note that they are sensitive to phosphorus, so gardeners should only use native-specific fertilisers to avoid harming the plants. Proper care ensures these natives flourish even in challenging conditions.

Grevillea City Lights: A Kings Park Hybrid

As part of the Kings Park and Botanic Garden's innovative plant breeding program, Grevillea City Lights is a remarkable hybrid that stands out in any setting. This plant boasts an upright growth habit, dense green foliage, and bright orange flowers that bloom profusely throughout the year, attracting a variety of birds and insects.

City Lights is an excellent choice for mixed garden beds, waterwise landscapes, and informal screening due to its heat and drought tolerance. It typically grows to a height of 3 metres and spreads up to 2 metres wide. The vibrant orange flowers, measuring 10 centimetres long, add a splash of colour to gardens all year round.

Grevillea Cooroora Cascade: A Ground Cover Gem

This striking grevillea serves as a vibrant, spreading ground cover with attractive, fine, feathery foliage and a cascading habit. Its flowers are particularly impressive, measuring 20 to 25 centimetres long and displaying a beautiful orange-yellow hue.

Ideal for planting in the centre of large native garden beds, Cooroora Cascade's long, elegant stems gracefully extend over understorey ground covers. The nectar-rich flowers are a favourite among honeyeaters and would delight honey possums if they could access them. This plant typically reaches a height of 50 to 80 centimetres but can spread 2 to 3 metres wide, so ensure it has ample space to thrive.

Grevillea Kimberley Moon: A Bird-Friendly Shrub

Another standout from the Kings Park hybrid range, Grevillea Kimberley Moon features long orange toothbrush flowers that bloom consistently throughout the year. The feathery green foliage adorns an upright shrub that grows to 2.5 metres in both height and width.

Birds are particularly drawn to this plant because many of its flowers are positioned on the outer parts of the shrub, providing easy access to nectar. It is an ideal feature plant for waterwise gardens and landscapes, where it will attract a diverse array of bird species to the area.

Essential Grevillea Care Tips

Grevilleas respond well to pruning in autumn, which helps maintain a compact shape and encourages abundant flowering. When pruning, remove only one-third of the growth to avoid stressing the plant. After pruning, apply a native fertiliser and ensure the main stem remains clear of mulch to prevent rot.

In addition to grevillea care, here are three key gardening tasks to tackle now:

Feed cane begonias: Apply blood and bone fertiliser and water immediately afterwards. Avoid overwatering, as begonias are prone to rot.
Harvest eggplants: Pick eggplants when the skin is shiny and has reached its full colour. Younger eggplants are tastier and less bitter than older ones.
Deadhead hydrangeas: Remove spent flowers to promote more blooms throughout the summer season.

For personalised gardening advice, readers can submit questions to Sabrina Hahn via Green With Envy in Saturday's The West Australian. Write to Ask Sabrina, GPO Box D162, Perth, 6001, or email home@wanews.com.au. Please include your full name and suburb. Due to high volume, not all questions can be answered.

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