shrub

Rosemary Grevillea

Grevillea rosmarinifolia

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea rosmarinifolia, the rosemary grevillea, is a dense, rounded evergreen shrub native to southeastern Australia, featuring stiff, needle-like leaves with sharply pointed tips. The plant produces clusters of curved, spider-like red or pink flowers from winter through spring, with sporadic blooms continuing into summer.

The narrow foliage resembles rosemary but has a prickly texture that deters browsing deer and rabbits. The nectar-rich, tubular blossoms serve as a vital food source for hummingbirds in North American gardens.

Uses & Benefits:

Features unique, spider-like flowers and fine, rosemary-like foliage that provides year-round structure.

Acts as an effective low hedge or barrier plant due to its dense, prickly growth habit.

Attracts hummingbirds and bees with its nectar-rich blooms during the winter and spring.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

60"

Width

80"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

15-20 years

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Winter – Summer

In flower about 9 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site with full sun and exceptionally well-draining sandy or gravelly soil.
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 native soil without adding organic amendments, compost, or standard fertilizers.
Water deeply to settle the soil, then establish a strict watering schedule that allows the soil to dry completely between waterings.

Pro Tip

Avoid using standard garden fertilizers; the specialized root system of this species is highly sensitive to phosphorus and will quickly fail in enriched soils.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in a location with sharp drainage and excellent air circulation.
Use only low-phosphorus, native-formulated fertilizers if feeding is necessary.
Prune lightly after the main spring flowering flush to maintain a dense habit.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy clay or low-lying areas where water collects.
Do not prune hard into old, leafless wood, as it will not regenerate.
Do not overwater once established, as wet roots invite fatal fungal rot.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

HedgeRock GardenCoastal GardenSlope Stabilization

Companion Plants

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Arctostaphylos densiflora Salvia apiana

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Rosemary Grevillea questions

What zones can Rosemary Grevillea grow in?

Rosemary 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 Rosemary Grevillea deer resistant?

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

When does Rosemary Grevillea bloom?

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

Does Rosemary Grevillea need full sun?

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

Is Rosemary Grevillea drought tolerant?

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