shrub

Robyn Gordon Grevillea

Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea species are evergreen Australian shrubs belonging to the Proteaceae family, known for their high sensitivity to soil phosphorus. They feature distinctive brush-like flower clusters and are highly attractive to nectar-eating native birds and insects.

'Robyn Gordon' is a garden hybrid arising from a chance cross between Queensland's Grevillea banksii and Western Australia's Grevillea bipinnatifida. It forms a dense, mounded shrub with deeply divided, fern-like leaves and produces bright red to deep pinkish-red flower clusters year-round.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces large, bright red to deep pinkish-red brush-like flower clusters year-round against deeply divided, fern-like green foliage.

Serves as a dense, drought-tolerant screening shrub or hedge in well-drained soils.

Highly attractive to nectar-eating Australian native birds, native bees, butterflies, and other nectar-seeking insects.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

78 inches

Width

78 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Good tolerance for humid subtropical conditions

Lifespan

8 to 15 years

Native To

Queensland (garden origin)

Toxicity

Skin irritant (causes contact dermatitis)

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun or light shade with highly draining sandy loam, loam, or light clay soil.
If planting in heavy clay, mound the soil or construct raised beds to prevent waterlogging, which the plant absolutely cannot tolerate.
Water deeply but occasionally during dry spells once established, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Apply a low-phosphorus native-formulated slow-release fertiliser sparingly in spring, avoiding standard general-purpose fertilisers.

Pro Tip

Never prune past the green foliage into bare wood, as the plant lacks latent buds on old wood and will fail to reshoot. Ensure immaculate soil drainage and use only zero- or low-phosphorus native fertilisers to avoid rapid root death.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Wear protective clothing, long sleeves, and gloves when handling to prevent contact dermatitis from the foliage and flowers.
Prune lightly after peak flowering flushes to maintain a dense, bushy shape.
Ensure high soil drainage and plant in raised mounds if your soil is heavy or poorly drained.
Use only specialized, low-phosphorus or zero-phosphorus native fertilisers.

Don't

Do not prune hard into old, leafless brown wood, as it will fail to reshoot.
Do not apply standard general-purpose fertilisers, which will cause phosphorus toxicity.
Do not overwater or plant in waterlogged, boggy, or poorly drained clay soils.
Do not overhead-water the foliage, to minimise the risk of fungal leaf spots.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Bird-attracting garden featureHedge or screening plantSubtropical or Mediterranean garden borderMass planting in well-drained sites

Companion Plants

Grevillea banksii Grevillea bipinnatifida

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Robyn Gordon Grevillea questions

What zones can Robyn Gordon Grevillea grow in?

Robyn Gordon 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 Robyn Gordon Grevillea bloom?

Robyn Gordon Grevillea typically blooms in year round through year round. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Robyn Gordon Grevillea need full sun?

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

Is Robyn Gordon Grevillea drought tolerant?

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