shrub

Mountain Grevillea

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea alpina is an evergreen Australian shrub with a highly variable growth habit, ranging from low and spreading to upright and bushy. The small, elliptical leaves are covered in fine hairs, providing a soft texture that contrasts with the terminal clusters of curved, bicolored flowers produced from winter through spring.

This species is distinguished by its spider-like flowers featuring prominent, curved styles in combinations of red, orange, yellow, and pink. The foliage has woolly or silky new growth, and the nectar-rich blooms are highly attractive to hummingbirds in North American gardens.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces highly unusual, bicolored spider-like flowers from winter through spring against fine, woolly-textured foliage.

Thrives in poor, gravelly, and drought-prone soils where other garden shrubs struggle to survive.

Provides a valuable nectar source for hummingbirds in North America during the cooler months of the year.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

48"

Width

48"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to Moderate

Lifespan

Short-lived

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Skin Irritant

Bloom period

Winter – Spring

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site with full sun to partial shade and exceptional drainage, such as a raised bed, gravelly slope, or sandy loam area.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the plant sits slightly above the surrounding soil level to prevent crown rot.
Backfill with native soil without adding organic matter, compost, or general-purpose fertilizers, which can introduce harmful phosphorus.
Water sparingly during the first summer to establish the roots, then transition to strict neglect with no supplemental summer irrigation.

Pro Tip

Plant in exceptionally well-drained, low-nutrient soil and avoid summer irrigation once established; excess moisture in warm weather or any exposure to phosphorus-rich fertilizers will quickly kill the root system.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Ensure the soil drains rapidly and completely after rainfall.
Use only low-phosphorus fertilizers formulated specifically for Australian native plants.
Prune lightly immediately after the main spring flowering finishes to maintain a compact shape.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, wet clay or boggy soils.
Do not prune heavily into old, hard, leafless wood, as it fails to regenerate.
Do not apply standard garden fertilizers containing phosphorus.
Do not overwater during warm summer months.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensSlopes and banksDrought-tolerant bordersContainer specimens

Companion Plants

Zauschneria californica Arctostaphylos Salvia apiana

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Mountain Grevillea questions

What zones can Mountain Grevillea grow in?

Mountain 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 Mountain Grevillea deer resistant?

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

When does Mountain Grevillea bloom?

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

Does Mountain Grevillea need full sun?

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

Is Mountain Grevillea drought tolerant?

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