shrub

Ned Kelly Grevillea

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea hybrids derived from Queensland's G. banksii and Western Australia's G. bipinnatifida are evergreen shrubs adapted to warm, well-drained conditions. These parent species contribute deeply lobed, fern-like foliage and large, brush-like inflorescences that produce nectar continuously to attract native avian pollinators.

'Ned Kelly' (commonly traded as 'Mason's Hybrid') forms a dense, spreading shrub up to two metres tall with deeply divided, grey-green backed leaves. The apricot-orange to vibrant red flowers are arranged in 12- to 15-centimetre toothbrush-style racemes, appearing nearly year-round with a peak from autumn to spring.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides year-round structural interest with deeply divided fern-like leaves and large, vibrant red-orange toothbrush flowers.

Functions as a highly drought-tolerant windbreak, informal screen, or soil-stabilising shrub in coastal and low-water designs.

Acts as a critical food source, attracting native nectar-feeding birds, native bees, and butterflies.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

79 inches

Width

118 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

10-20 years

Native To

Australia (Horticultural origin)

Toxicity

Skin Irritant

Bloom period

Autumn – Spring

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with highly free-draining, sandy or loamy soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but of equal depth, ensuring the plant sits level with the surrounding soil.
Water in thoroughly upon planting, and apply a low-phosphorus native mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the stem.
Irrigate occasionally during dry spells until established, then transition to deep, infrequent watering.

Pro Tip

Never prune hard into old, leafless wood as grevilleas lack dormant buds to regenerate from bare stems; instead, restrict trimming to light tip-pruning of green wood after a flowering flush.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Wear long sleeves and gloves when handling the foliage to prevent contact dermatitis.
Prune lightly after major flowering flushes to maintain a dense, bushy shape.
Use only specialised low-phosphorus native fertilisers applied sparingly in spring.

Don't

Do not prune back into old, leafless woody stems as the plant will fail to shoot.
Do not plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils which promote root rot.
Never apply standard garden fertilisers containing high phosphorus levels.

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

Screening and informal hedgingBird-attracting habitat gardensCoastal or Mediterranean-style low-water gardens

Companion Plants

Anigozanthos flavidus (Kangaroo Paw)Westringia fruticosa (Coastal Rosemary)Correa reflexa (Native Fuchsia)

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Ned Kelly Grevillea questions

What zones can Ned Kelly Grevillea grow in?

Ned Kelly Grevillea 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.

When does Ned Kelly Grevillea bloom?

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

Does Ned Kelly Grevillea need full sun?

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

Is Ned Kelly Grevillea drought tolerant?

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