Grevillea buxifolia
grey spider flower
Overview
Grevillea buxifolia is an evergreen shrub in the protea family reaching 3-7 feet (1-2 m) tall and 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) wide, with an erect, open habit. Leaves are alternate, oval to elliptic, 0.4-1 inch (10-25 mm) long, leathery, dark green above and paler with grey hairs beneath, resembling those of box. The flowers form rounded clusters about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, densely covered in grey to rust-brown woolly hairs that give a spider-like look, with curled styles emerging from each head. Flowering runs over a long season, mainly winter through spring. The flowers hold nectar and draw honeyeaters and insects. Small woody follicles follow, releasing seed when ripe. Growth is moderate, with plants reaching flowering size in 2-3 years and living about 8-12 years. The species needs sharp drainage, is sensitive to phosphorus and to extended wet soil, and becomes open and woody with age.
Native Range
Native to New South Wales, Australia, concentrated in the sandstone country around Sydney and the Central Coast. Grows in heath, dry sclerophyll woodland, and ridgetops on sandy, nutrient-poor soils from near sea level to about 2,300 feet (700 m).Suggested Uses
Planted in native, habitat, and bird-attracting gardens, on sandy banks, and in low-nutrient soils, spaced 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) apart. Suited to informal screening and the middle of shrub plantings. Sharp drainage and low fertility limit its use in heavy clay or irrigated beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 7'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowers over an extended season, mainly from autumn through spring, April to November in its native range, with the heaviest bloom in winter and early spring. Individual clusters last several weeks; the overall display continues for several months. Flowering is heavier in open sunny positions.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Grey to rust-brownFoliage Description
Dark green above, grey-hairy beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to light shade in sharply drained sandy or gravelly soil low in nutrients. Water through the first season to establish; established plants tolerate dry periods and decline in soils that stay wet. Phosphorus-rich fertilizers damage the roots of grevilleas and can kill the plant, so only low-phosphorus native blends are used. Light tip-pruning after each flush keeps the shrub bushy and slows the open, woody habit that develops with age. Few pests affect it, though scale and sooty mould appear on stressed plants in still air.Pruning
Tip-prune after each flowering flush, removing up to one-third of the new growth to maintain a bushy form. Pruning into green wood reshoots reliably, while cutting into bare old wood often does not. Regular light pruning slows the open, leggy habit of older plants.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons