Grevillea rosmarinifolia
rosemary grevillea
South-eastern Australia (New South Wales and Victoria)
Overview
Grevillea rosmarinifolia is an evergreen shrub reaching 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) tall and 4-8 feet (1.2-2.4 m) wide, forming a dense rounded to spreading mound. Leaves are needle-like, 0.5-1.5 inches (1.3-3.8 cm) long and under 0.1 inch (2 mm) wide, dark green above with a silky silver underside, and tipped with a sharp point. Flowers form terminal spider-shaped clusters of red, pink, and cream, each cluster 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm) across, with curved protruding styles. Main flowering runs from late autumn through spring, with scattered bloom at other times in mild climates. The nectar-bearing flowers draw honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds. Growth rate is moderate to fast, filling the mature spread within 3-4 years. Foliage is needle-like and prickly to the touch, which limits placement beside paths. The shrub is sensitive to high soil phosphorus and to poorly drained sites, where root rot from Phytophthora spp. causes stem dieback. In colder regions, foliage and stem tips are damaged below about 20°F (-7°C).
Native Range
Native to south-eastern Australia, in New South Wales and Victoria. Grows in dry sclerophyll forest, woodland, and rocky hillsides on shallow soils over sandstone or granite at elevations up to 3,300 feet (1,000 m).Suggested Uses
Used as an informal hedge, screen, or bank cover, spaced 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) apart. Planted in bird gardens for the nectar-bearing flowers and in low-water Mediterranean-climate plantings. The prickly foliage limits use beside walkways and seating.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread4' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
red, pink, and creamFoliage Description
dark green above, silvery-white beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-8 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
Plant in full sun in light, well-drained soil; flowering and density decline in shade. Water regularly through the first one to two growing seasons, then only during extended dry spells, as established plants tolerate 3-4 weeks without rain. Apply only low-phosphorus fertilizer, since Grevillea spp. develops leaf yellowing and root damage at phosphorus levels most garden plants tolerate. Root rot from Phytophthora spp. develops in wet, poorly drained soil and causes sudden dieback. Foliage and stem tips are damaged below about 20°F (-7°C), with recovery from the base in zones 8-9.Pruning
Cut back lightly after the main flowering flush, removing up to one-third of the current season growth to keep the plant dense. Pruning into bare old wood often fails to reshoot. Tip-pruning young plants two or three times in the first year increases branching.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: 10 gallons