Grevillea linearifolia
white spider flower
Overview
Grevillea linearifolia is an evergreen shrub in the family Proteaceae, growing 5–10 feet (1.5–3 m) tall and 5–8 feet (1.5–2.4 m) wide, with an open, sometimes spreading habit. The leaves are narrow and linear, 1–3 inches (2.5–7.5 cm) long and under 0.1 inch (2 mm) wide, green above and silky-white beneath with rolled margins. The flowers are white, sometimes flushed pink, in open spider-like clusters at the branch tips, each cluster carrying the curved styles typical of the genus. Flowering occurs over much of the year with a peak from winter to spring. Woody follicles follow flowering and split to release winged seeds. The shrub is native to the sandstone country of eastern Australia, where it grows in heath and dry sclerophyll forest on poor, well-drained soils. It tolerates drought, wind, and low-nutrient soils once established but is damaged by hard frost and declines in wet, heavy ground. The nectar-rich flowers draw honeyeaters and other birds. Without trimming the shrub can become open and leggy with age.
Native Range
Grevillea linearifolia is native to eastern Australia, mainly the sandstone regions of New South Wales. It grows in heath, woodland, and dry sclerophyll forest on poor, well-drained sandy and rocky soils.Suggested Uses
Planted as an informal screen, windbreak, and bird-attracting shrub in native and low-water gardens. Grown in mixed shrub borders on sandy, well-drained soils. Used in revegetation of sandstone heath and woodland.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5' - 10'
Width/Spread5' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs over much of the year, with the main flush from winter into spring, roughly June to October in the native range. The flowers are white, sometimes flushed pink, in open spider-like clusters. Light flowering continues at other times in mild conditions.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white, sometimes pink-flushedFoliage Description
green above, silky-white beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-9 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
Grow Grevillea linearifolia in full sun to part shade in well-drained, low-nutrient soil. As a member of Proteaceae it grows better in soils low in phosphorus, so phosphorus-rich fertilisers are left off. Water young plants through their first dry season, after which it tolerates drought. It is damaged by hard frost and suits frost-free to light-frost climates. Sharp drainage is needed, as it declines in wet, heavy ground. A trim after the main flush keeps it bushy and slows the leggy growth that develops with age.Pruning
Trim Grevillea linearifolia after the main flowering flush to keep it dense and compact. It tolerates regular light pruning of younger growth. Cutting into bare old wood is done sparingly, as it reshoots slowly.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons