A prostrate, spreading grevillea that carpets the ground in soft grey foliage and pink-and-cream spider flowers through the cooler months, feeding honeyeaters when little else is out.
At a glance
- Plant type: Spreading groundcover
- Mature size: 50 cm tall
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: very drought tolerant once established
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Woolly Grevillea
Grevillea lanigera is a moderate-growing spreading groundcover in the Proteaceae family, native to New South Wales and Victoria. It reaches around 50 cm tall at maturity, with evergreen and silver-grey foliage. Pink and red flowers appear for much of the year.
Where to grow Woolly Grevillea
Woolly Grevillea suits cool-temperate, warm-temperate and Mediterranean climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is a genuinely water-wise choice.
Soil & planting
Most soils suit Woolly Grevillea provided drainage is reasonable. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Woolly Grevillea is very drought tolerant once established, so once its roots are down it needs little supplementary water. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser — the Proteaceae are especially phosphorus-sensitive. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
Pruning & care
Prune Woolly Grevillea after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Woolly Grevillea in the garden
Woolly Grevillea earns its place for drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden, holding soil on banks and slopes and pots and courtyard containers. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Woolly Grevillea with other plants that enjoy the same very drought tolerant and cool-temperate climate. Group three or five together for impact rather than dotting single plants through the garden. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.