shrub

Grey Spider Flower

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea buxifolia, the grey spider flower, is an erect to spreading evergreen shrub native to the sandstone woodlands of eastern Australia. It produces rounded, multi-stemmed growth clothed in small, leathery leaves with recurved margins and a woolly, greyish underside.

The distinctive flower clusters consist of individual blossoms densely covered in rusty and whitish hairs, resembling fuzzy spiders at the branch tips. New foliage emerges with pronounced bronze or reddish tones before maturing to a glossy green.

Uses & Benefits:

Offers year-round structure with unusual, fuzzy grey flowers and attractive bronze-toned new growth.

Highly tolerant of salt spray and coastal winds, making it an excellent choice for maritime gardens.

Provides a valuable nectar source for visiting insects and specialized pollinators.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

98"

Width

98"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

10-15 years

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Skin Irritant

Bloom period

Spring – Autumn

In flower about 9 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site with full sun and exceptionally well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but of equal depth to keep the crown level with the soil surface.
Gently backfill with the native soil without adding compost, manure, or organic amendments.
Water deeply immediately after planting, then restrict watering to occasional deep soakings during dry spells.

Pro Tip

Never amend the planting site with organic compost or apply standard phosphorus-heavy fertilizers, as these disrupt the specialized proteoid root system and can quickly prove fatal.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Grow in a raised bed or container if native soils contain heavy clay.
Use exclusively low-phosphorus fertilizers formulated specifically for native Australian plants.
Prune lightly after the main flowering flush to maintain a compact, bushy habit.

Don't

Do not prune hard into old, leafless wood, as it fails to regenerate.
Do not overwater or allow the roots to sit in waterlogged soil.
Do not disturb the soil or dig around the sensitive root zone once established.
Do not apply standard general-purpose fertilizers containing phosphorus.

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

Rock GardenCoastal GardenContainer SpecimenDrought-Tolerant Border

Companion Plants

Banksia Anigozanthos Correa Leptospermum Westringia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Grey Spider Flower questions

What zones can Grey Spider Flower grow in?

Grey Spider Flower is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Grey Spider Flower deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Grey Spider Flower, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Grey Spider Flower bloom?

Grey Spider Flower typically blooms in spring through autumn. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Grey Spider Flower need full sun?

Grey Spider Flower does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Grey Spider Flower drought tolerant?

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