Species

1 other cultivar

‘Mt Tamboritha’Woolly Grevillea

shrub

Coastal Gem Woolly Grevillea

Grevillea lanigera 'Coastal Gem'

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea lanigera, commonly known as woolly grevillea, is an evergreen shrub native to eastern Australia, ranging from New South Wales to Victoria. The species is characterised by its dense, downy foliage and compact, spreading habit that thrives in well-draining soils.

'Coastal Gem' is a prostrate, mat-forming cultivar selected for its low, spreading form that reaches only 30 centimetres in height. It features narrow, grey-green woolly leaves and produces tight, spidery clusters of pinkish-red and cream flowers from winter through spring.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dense, grey-green prostrate groundcover with unique pinkish-red and cream spidery flowers.

Offers excellent erosion control on slopes and performs reliably in coastal conditions with high salt spray.

Supports nectar-feeding Australian native birds, such as honeyeaters, and native insects and bees.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

12 inches

Width

48 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Medium

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Skin irritant

Bloom period

Winter – Summer

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to light shade with neutral to slightly acidic, highly draining soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the plant sits slightly above the surrounding soil level to facilitate drainage.
Backfill with native soil mix without adding any high-phosphorus fertilisers or organic compost that retains excess moisture.
Water deeply to settle the soil, then establish an infrequent, deep-watering schedule during dry summer spells.

Pro Tip

Plant on a slope or in a raised bed to ensure the high drainage this species demands; planting in heavy clay or over-fertilising with phosphorus will rapidly trigger root rot or nutrient toxicity.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Grow in highly draining sandy or gravelly soil mixes.
Apply exclusively low-phosphorus or native-formulated fertilisers if feeding is necessary.
Prune lightly after spring flowering to maintain a dense, bushy shape.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils.
Do not prune heavily into old, bare wood where adventitious buds are absent.
Do not use general-purpose garden fertilisers containing high phosphorus levels.

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

Groundcover for slopes and embankmentsRock gardens and raised bedsCoastal gardens exposed to salt spray

Companion Plants

Anigozanthos (Kangaroo Paw)Correa alba Westringia fruticosa

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Coastal Gem Woolly Grevillea questions

What zones can Coastal Gem Woolly Grevillea grow in?

Coastal Gem Woolly 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.

When does Coastal Gem Woolly Grevillea bloom?

Coastal Gem Woolly 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 Coastal Gem Woolly Grevillea need full sun?

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

Is Coastal Gem Woolly Grevillea drought tolerant?

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