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Grevillea crithmifolia

spreading grevillea

Proteaceae

Southwestern Western Australia (coastal plain)

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Grevillea crithmifolia is an evergreen shrub in the Proteaceae family native to Western Australia, occurring as both a low spreading form and an upright form. The upright form reaches 3-6.5 feet (1-2 m) tall, while prostrate forms stay under 20 inches (50 cm) high and spread 6.5-13 feet (2-4 m) wide. The leaves are narrow and divided into a few short lobes, 0.8-1.6 inches (2-4 cm) long, grey-green and smooth-edged rather than prickly. Small clusters of white to pale pink spider flowers open in winter and early spring, lightly fragrant and rich in nectar. It grows on sandy and limestone soils and tolerates alkaline ground, coastal exposure, and drought once established. It is hardy to about 23F (-5C). Like other Proteaceae, it is sensitive to high soil phosphorus. The prostrate form is used as a bank and groundcover plant, the upright form as a low screen.

Native Range

Grevillea crithmifolia is native to the coastal plain of southwestern Western Australia, where it grows on sandy and limestone soils near the coast. Its range is centred on the Perth region and nearby coast.

Suggested Uses

The prostrate form is used as a groundcover and bank stabiliser, spaced 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) apart, and the upright form as a low informal screen. Both suit coastal and low-water gardens on sandy or limestone soils. The flowers draw nectar-feeding birds.

How to Identify

Recognised by grey-green leaves divided into a few short, blunt lobes with smooth edges, unlike the prickly foliage of many grevilleas. The white to pale pink spider flowers are small and clustered, opening in winter. Both a ground-hugging form and an upright shrub form occur.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'8" - 6'7"

Width/Spread4'11" - 13'1"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Winter Spring

Flowering occurs in winter and early spring, roughly June to September in the Southern Hemisphere. The white to pale pink spider flowers are lightly fragrant and open in small clusters. The nectar draws honeyeaters and insects.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale pink

Foliage Description

Grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand chalk rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun in well-drained sandy, limestone, or gravelly soil, tolerating alkaline ground at a pH of 6.0-8.0. Water needs are low once established, and the plant withstands coastal wind, salt, and drought. Soil phosphorus is kept low, in line with its Proteaceae family. It is hardy to about 23F (-5C). Good drainage limits the risk of Phytophthora spp. root rot.

Pruning

Light pruning after flowering keeps both forms dense and tidy. It tolerates trimming of soft growth, and the prostrate form is cut back at the edges to contain its spread. Cutting into bare old wood is avoided, as regrowth from it is slow.

Pruning Schedule

winterearly spring