Pink spider flower

Sun

Full sun to light partial shade; flowering is best with plenty of sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, allowing the surface soil to dry between waterings. Once established, water during prolonged dry spells; avoid persistently wet roots.

Soil

Well-drained, acidic to neutral sandy or gravelly soil, naturally low in phosphorus. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soil and rich manure.

Height

3-7 ft (0.9-2.1 m)

Spread

3-6 ft (0.9-1.8 m)

Flowers

Pink spider-like flower clusters, mainly in winter and spring, with scattered flowers at other times in mild climates.

Foliage

Evergreen. Narrow, grey-green to green leaves with silky hairs, particularly on the undersides and young growth.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   2.3 ft (0.7 m)

3. After 2 years

   3 ft (0.9 m)

4. After 3 years

   4 ft (1.1 m)

5. After 5 years

   5 ft (1.5 m)

   full size

About 5 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

Australia

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the root crown at soil level in freely draining ground; use a broad raised bed if drainage is doubtful.
• Water deeply through the first growing season, then reduce watering as roots establish.
• If feeding is needed, use a low-phosphorus fertiliser labelled for Australian native plants at the recommended rate.
• Apply a light mulch of coarse bark or gravel, keeping it clear of the stems.
• In colder regions, grow in a container with a free-draining mix and move it to a bright, frost-free place for winter.

Pruning. Lightly trim after the main flowering flush to encourage branching and keep the shrub compact. Keep cuts within leafy growth rather than cutting hard into old, bare wood.

Spring

Plant after damaging frosts have passed, and water thoroughly to settle the roots.

Late spring

Lightly prune after the main flowering flush, leaving foliage below each cut.

Summer

Check new plants for dry soil and water deeply when needed; avoid frequent shallow watering.

Late summer

Take semi-ripe cuttings from healthy, non-flowering shoots.

Autumn

Check drainage before wetter weather and move container plants under cover where winter frosts are likely.

Winter

Enjoy the flowers in mild areas; keep sheltered container plants bright and only lightly moist.

• Use in an Australian native shrub border with plants that share its low-phosphorus soil requirements.
• Plant beside an informal path where the fine foliage and intricate flowers can be seen closely.
• Include in a sunny wildlife garden to provide nectar during the cooler months.
• Grow in a large, well-drained container on a sheltered terrace where winter protection is practical.

Garden styles it suits: Australian native, Wildlife garden, Coastal, Dry gravel garden, Low-maintenance and Small-space.

Plant it with: Coastal rosemary, Waxflower, Small-leaved mint bush, Spiny-headed mat-rush and Kangaroo paw.

Wildlife: Nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters in Australia and may attract hummingbirds where grown in suitable parts of North America. Bees and other flower-visiting insects also use the flowers.

• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage before planting, keep mulch away from stems and avoid watering already damp ground.
• Phosphorus injury from unsuitable fertiliser: stop high-phosphorus feeds and use only products suitable for phosphorus-sensitive Australian natives.
• Yellow leaves on alkaline soil: check soil pH and drainage; use an appropriate container mix if the garden soil is strongly alkaline.
• Frost damage to shoots: choose a sheltered site, protect young plants during cold snaps and wait until spring before removing damaged growth.

Not known to be poisonous to people, cats, dogs or horses, but species-specific ingestion data are limited. Grevillea foliage and sap can cause contact dermatitis in susceptible people; wear gloves if handling causes irritation and do not treat any part as edible.

• Linear-leaf grevillea (Grevillea linearifolia)

  Usually has white rather than pink flowers and narrower, more distinctly linear leaves.

• Red spider flower (Grevillea speciosa)

  Usually has bright red flowers and broader, oval leaves with conspicuously rolled-under edges.

Grevillea honours Charles Francis Greville, a British plant collector, while sericea means silky, referring to the plant's silky hairs.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and root them in a free-draining propagation mix with gentle humidity. Seed propagation is possible, but germination can be slow and uneven.

Accepted botanical name

Grevillea sericea

Native range

New South Wales.

Measured

Average height 200 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.