Grevillea 'Canberra Gem'
canberra gem grevillea
Garden hybrid; parent species native to southeastern Australia
Overview
Grevillea 'Canberra Gem' is an evergreen shrub in the Proteaceae family, a hybrid of Grevillea juniperina and Grevillea rosmarinifolia reaching 5-8 feet (1.5-2.5 m) tall and 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) wide with a dense, rounded form. The leaves are narrow and needle-like, 0.6-1.2 inches (1.5-3 cm) long, dark green above and silky below, with a sharp point. Clusters of waxy rose-red spider flowers with curved styles open from late autumn through spring, held at the branch tips. It flowers heavily over a long season and draws nectar-feeding birds. The plant is vigorous and fast-growing, hardy to about 18F (-8C), and tolerant of a range of soils given reasonable drainage. Like other grevilleas, contact with the foliage and flowers can cause skin irritation in sensitive people. It is sensitive to high soil phosphorus, in common with the Proteaceae. The prickly foliage forms a dense screen and shelters small birds.
Native Range
Grevillea 'Canberra Gem' is a garden hybrid raised in cultivation rather than a wild plant. Its parent species, Grevillea juniperina and Grevillea rosmarinifolia, are native to southeastern Australia.Suggested Uses
Used as a screening shrub, informal hedge, and bird-attracting plant in low-water gardens, spaced 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) apart. The prickly foliage forms a barrier planting and shelters small birds. It also suits large containers and embankment plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4'11" - 8'2"
Width/Spread5'11" - 9'10"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from late autumn through spring, with a peak in winter, roughly May to October in the Southern Hemisphere. The rose-red spider flowers open in clusters at the stem tips over many months. The nectar-rich flowers draw honeyeaters and other birds.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Dark greenGrowing 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 part shade in well-drained soil of most types at a pH of 5.5-7.0. Water needs are low to moderate once established, and the plant withstands dry spells and light frost to about 18F (-8C). Soil phosphorus is kept low, as Proteaceae are prone to root damage from high-phosphorus fertilisers. Reasonable drainage limits Phytophthora spp. root rot. It is fast-growing and responds to pruning with denser growth.Pruning
Regular light pruning after the main flush keeps the shrub compact and encourages repeat flowering. It tolerates hard pruning and reshoots from old wood, so it can be rejuvenated when overgrown. The prickly stems are trimmed with gloves because of the sharp leaf tips.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons