Woolly grevillea Mt Tamboritha

Sun

Full sun to light partial shade; flowering and growth are densest in full sun.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, allowing the soil surface to dry between waterings. Once established, water deeply during prolonged dry weather rather than little and often.

Soil

Very well-drained sandy or gravelly soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral and low in phosphorus. Avoid waterlogged clay and strongly alkaline soil.

Height

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m)

Spread

4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m)

Flowers

Pink to red and cream flowers, mainly from late winter through spring, with scattered flowers at other times in mild climates.

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, narrow grey-green leaves with rolled edges and soft hairs, densely packed along spreading branches.

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

   1.5 ft (0.45 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 a freely draining position; use a raised bed if drainage is poor.
• Water through the first growing season, then during prolonged drought.
• Feed only if growth is poor, using a low-phosphorus fertilizer labelled suitable for grevilleas or Australian native plants.
• Apply a light mulch, keeping it clear of the main stems.
• Shelter from cold drying winds and protect container plants from hard freezes.

Pruning. Lightly trim after the main spring flowering to keep the plant dense and within its allotted space. Remove dead branches, but avoid cutting hard into old, leafless wood.

Spring

Plant after severe frost risk has passed, especially in cooler climates.

Late spring

Lightly trim after the main flowering flush.

Summer

Check new plants for dry roots and water deeply when needed.

Early autumn

Plant in mild-winter regions while the soil is warm, provided drainage is excellent.

Late autumn

Clear fallen leaves from the canopy and check that water drains away from the crown.

Winter

Protect plants during severe freezes and keep pots out of standing water.

• Spread across a sunny bank to make a low evergreen cover without regular mowing.
• Trail over a low retaining wall, leaving room for the branches to hang naturally.
• Use at the front of an Australian native planting with upright shrubs and strappy-leaved plants.
• Combine with rocks and gravel for a low, textured planting with winter and spring flowers.

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

Plant it with: Coastal rosemary, Dwarf bottlebrush, Kangaroo paw, Mat rush, Flax lily and Waxflower.

Wildlife: Nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds in Australia, as well as visiting insects. Bird visitors elsewhere depend on the local fauna; the low foliage also provides shelter for small animals.

• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage before planting, keep the crown clear and avoid frequent watering of established plants.
• Phosphorus injury from unsuitable fertilizer: stop feeding with general-purpose products and use only a low-phosphorus formulation suitable for grevilleas.
• Yellow leaves in alkaline soil: check soil pH and drainage; use a suitable container mix if the garden soil is strongly alkaline.
• Frost scorch or dieback: choose a sheltered site, cover during exceptional cold and wait until spring growth starts before removing damaged shoots.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs or horses, but information specific to this cultivar is limited. Grevillea foliage and flowers can cause contact dermatitis in susceptible people; wear gloves when pruning. No part should be treated as edible.

• Rosemary grevillea (Grevillea rosmarinifolia)

  Usually forms a taller, more upright shrub with stiff, sharply pointed leaves rather than the low, softly woolly growth of 'Mt Tamboritha'.

• Juniper-leaved grevillea (Grevillea juniperina)

  Some forms also spread close to the ground, but their leaves are generally stiff and prickly rather than softly hairy; flower colour varies by form.

Grevillea honours British plant collector Charles Francis Greville, and lanigera means wool-bearing, referring to the plant's hairy growth.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or early autumn, using a very free-draining propagation mix. Seed will not reliably reproduce the named cultivar.

Accepted botanical name

Grevillea lanigera

Native range

New South Wales and Victoria.

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