Grevillea 'Canberra Gem'
Spider flower
Also known as Grevillea rosmarinifolia 'Canberra Gem', Grevillea banksii 'Canberra Hybrid'
- Height × spread
- 2m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is theoretically for a mild spot only but in general it has proved hardy in Britain, at least over the last few years. It makes a pretty, dome shaped shrub with rich green needle like foliage, long slender leaves whorled around spreading light brown stems. The foliage has a pungent scent and is prickly to the touch. It flowers from spring to autumn. The blooms consist of clusters of filaments held on a short, unnoticeable stem. They are coloured a bright and cheery scarlet pink, orange tipped. They sprout along the branches. This vigorous shrub is generally pruned, after flowering, for containment and to maintain a well ordered shrub. It is likely to be around 2m (7ft) x 2m (7ft) within four years of planting.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, honey-almond
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Structural
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Skin irritant/allergen
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.
Found in
More Grevillea
Grevillea
Spider flower
Grevillea johnsonii
Johnson's spider flower
Grevillea juniperina
Juniper leaf grevillea, Juniper leaf spider flower
Grevillea juniperina f. sulphurea
Juniper leaf grevillea, Juniper leaf spider flower
Grevillea rosmarinifolia
Rosemary grevillea