shrub

Wickham's Grevillea

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea wickhamii is an erect, evergreen Australian shrub or open, spindly small tree native to arid and semi-arid northern regions. The stiff, broadly egg-shaped leaves feature sharp, holly-like teeth along the margins and often emerge with a bronze tinge before maturing to green.

The species is distinguished by its down-curved, sometimes branched flower clusters that emerge from the leaf axils or along the stems in shades of red, pink, orange, or yellow. These nectar-rich tubular flowers lack true petals, relying on colorful styles to attract pollinators throughout the cooler months.

Uses & Benefits:

Features unique holly-like foliage and colorful, down-curved flower clusters that provide structural interest in dry gardens.

Acts as a highly drought-tolerant barrier plant due to its prickly, spiked leaf margins.

Provides a rich source of nectar for hummingbirds in North America and native honeyeaters in Australia.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

236"

Width

157"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

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 in full sun with stony, sandy, or highly permeable loam that never retains standing water.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil line to prevent rot.
Water sparingly during the establishment phase, then restrict irrigation to mimic arid conditions once the root system is established.
Apply only low-phosphorus, native-formulated fertilizers in spring if growth appears sluggish, or omit feeding entirely.

Pro Tip

Plant in exceptionally well-drained, stony or sandy soil and avoid all high-phosphorus fertilizers, which trigger fatal toxicity in the specialized proteaceous root system.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide immaculate soil drainage to prevent root rot.
Prune lightly immediately after flowering to maintain a dense, bushy habit.
Use physical barriers to protect young plants from browsing deer and rabbits.
Water only when the soil is completely dry.

Don't

Do not apply standard general-purpose fertilizers containing high phosphorus.
Do not prune hard into old, leafless wood, as it fails to regenerate from dormant buds.
Do not plant in heavy clay or areas prone to waterlogging.
Do not use overhead irrigation, which promotes powdery mildew under humid conditions.

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

Dry garden accentSpecimen plantingBird-friendly screenRock garden focal point

Companion Plants

Callistemon citrinus Westringia fruticosa Salvia apiana

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Wickham's Grevillea questions

What zones can Wickham's Grevillea grow in?

Wickham's 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 Wickham's Grevillea bloom?

Wickham's 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 Wickham's Grevillea need full sun?

Wickham's Grevillea does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Wickham's Grevillea drought tolerant?

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