Grevillea juniperina
juniper-leaved grevillea
Southeastern Australia (New South Wales, ACT)
Overview
Grevillea juniperina is an evergreen shrub in the Proteaceae family native to southeastern Australia, ranging from low spreading forms to upright shrubs 3-6.5 feet (1-2 m) tall and 5-10 feet (1.5-3 m) wide. The leaves are narrow, stiff, and sharply pointed, 0.4-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) long, resembling juniper needles and forming a prickly, dense cover. Clusters of spider flowers with curved styles open at the branch tips from late autumn through spring; flower colour varies by form from red to orange, apricot, and yellow. The flowers carry nectar that draws honeyeaters and other birds. It tolerates more cold than most grevilleas, withstanding frost to about 14F (-10C), and grows in a range of soils with reasonable drainage. Like other Proteaceae, it is sensitive to high soil phosphorus. The prickly foliage forms a barrier and shelters small birds. Contact with the foliage can cause skin irritation in sensitive people.
Native Range
Grevillea juniperina is native to southeastern Australia, mainly in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, where it grows in open forest and on rocky slopes. Both prostrate and upright forms occur in the wild.Suggested Uses
Used as a barrier and screening shrub, groundcover in prostrate forms, and bird-attracting plant in low-water gardens, spaced 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) apart. The prickly foliage shelters small birds and forms a deterrent hedge. Prostrate forms are planted on banks and slopes.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3'3" - 6'7"
Width/Spread4'11" - 9'10"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from late autumn through spring, roughly May to October in the Southern Hemisphere, with a winter peak. The spider flowers open in clusters at the stem tips, in colours from red to yellow by form. The nectar draws honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Red, orange, apricot, or yellowFoliage Description
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 once established, and the plant tolerates more cold than most grevilleas, down to about 14F (-10C). Soil phosphorus is kept low, as Proteaceae are prone to root damage from high-phosphorus fertilisers. Reasonable drainage limits Phytophthora spp. root rot. It responds to pruning with denser growth.Pruning
Light pruning after the main flush keeps the shrub compact and supports repeat flowering. It tolerates hard pruning and reshoots from old wood, so overgrown plants can be cut back. 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