shrub

Lavender Grevillea

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea lavandulacea, the lavender grevillea, is an evergreen Australian shrub with a dense, mounding habit and narrow, grey-green leaves that resemble lavender foliage. The tubular, rose-red to deep red flowers feature prominent, curling styles and cluster in small, spider-like heads from late winter through spring.

This species is highly adapted to Mediterranean climates, offering exceptional drought tolerance and winter color once established. The needle-like foliage is coated in fine, silky hairs that give the entire plant a soft, silvery cast.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides striking silvery-grey foliage year-round and highly unusual, vibrant red flowers during the winter and spring.

Offers superb erosion control on dry, sunny slopes and thrives in nutrient-poor, sandy soils where other shrubs fail.

Serves as an invaluable winter nectar source for hummingbirds, native bees, and other beneficial pollinators.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

48"

Width

60"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

10-15 years

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Skin Irritant

Bloom period

Late winter – Spring

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with gritty, sandy, or loamy soil that drains instantly.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Backfill with the native soil without adding compost, manure, or any phosphorus-containing fertilizers.
Water sparingly to settle the soil, then establish a strict drying cycle between light waterings until the plant is established.

Pro Tip

Plant in lean, unamended soil with absolute drainage and avoid summer irrigation once established; watering during hot months or using phosphorus-heavy fertilizers will quickly kill the root system.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in exceptionally sharp-draining, gritty soil.
Use only specialized low-phosphorus fertilizers formulated for native Australian plants.
Prune lightly immediately after the spring flowering period finishes.

Don't

Do not water during hot summer months once the plant is established.
Do not prune back hard into old, leafless, brown wood.
Do not amend the planting hole with rich organic compost or standard fertilizers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensDry bordersCoastal gardensSlopes and banksMediterranean gardens

Companion Plants

Rosmarinus officinalis Cistus Lavandula dentata Ceanothus Arctostaphylos

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Lavender Grevillea questions

What zones can Lavender Grevillea grow in?

Lavender Grevillea is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Lavender Grevillea deer resistant?

Yes — Lavender Grevillea is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Lavender Grevillea bloom?

Lavender Grevillea typically blooms in late winter through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Lavender Grevillea need full sun?

Lavender Grevillea does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Lavender Grevillea drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Lavender Grevillea handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.