Grevillea
April 18th 2008 09:29
These popular shrubs and trees are the lagest group belonging to the protea family, a family of plants that evolved on the prehistoric continent Gondwana. With about 250 members grevilleas come in many sizes with various flower colour, habits and characteristics. All but about 20 belong to Australia, with the exceptions being found in New Caledonia and other Pacific islands. Grevilleas are named after C.F Greville one of the founders of the Royal Agricultural Society.
Originatinting in the temperate rainforests of northern New South Wales and Queensland where its golden flowers outline the creeks each summer, is the widely known silky oak, Grevillea robusta. The name is taken from its valuable timber, as the leaves and flowers dont resemble an oak tree in anyway.
The leaves of the Grevillea are as diverse in colour, shape and size as the plant itself. I would keep in mind their texture when selecting a postion and avoid planting plants with the sharper needle type leaves in traffic areas.
These are great plants for any well drained soil. They can be cut back after flowering if you prefer a more compact shape for fenceline planting. The nectar producing flowers that are forming on most bushes at the moment will attract the most amazing honey eating birds to the garden. If a suitable Grevillea is planted in the right place in the garden it will reward you with years of pleasure.
I like to collect the seed pods put them in a paper bag till they mature and split open to release the papery seed. I then plant the seeds into a tray of soil keeping damp until they pop up. I transplant them into tubes or small pots to grow a bit before I plant them in the garden.
Thats it for now happy gardening.
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