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. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in.
Watering & feeding
Woolly Grevillea handles dry conditions well once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser — the Proteaceae are especially phosphorus-sensitive. Keep a newly planted specimen evenly watered through its first season; established plants can then follow the water needs above.
Pruning & care
Prune Woolly Grevillea after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. For most gardens, maintenance 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
Woolly Grevillea sits most comfortably beside plants adapted to very drought tolerant and cool-temperate climate. A small cluster gives stronger visual impact than isolated plants scattered through the garden. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
