Species

1 other cultivar

‘Coastal Gem’Woolly Grevillea

shrub

Mt Tamboritha Grevillea

Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha'

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea lanigera, commonly known as woolly grevillea, is an evergreen Australian shrub native to the coastal and mountainous regions of southeastern Australia. The species is characterized by its narrow, crowded leaves covered in fine hairs that give the foliage a distinct silvery-green appearance and soft texture.

'Mt Tamboritha' is a prostrate, low-mounding cultivar that forms a dense ground-hugging mat with arching, wiry stems. It produces spider-like clusters of pink and cream flowers primarily from winter through spring, with occasional spot-blooming throughout the year.

Uses & Benefits:

Forms a dense, woolly, silver-green groundcover that is highly effective for spilling over retaining walls or rockeries.

Excellent for erosion control on slopes and banks due to its spreading, soil-binding growth habit.

The nectar-rich flowers provide a valuable food source for hummingbirds and other pollinators during winter and spring.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

20"

Width

80"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Skin irritant (non-toxic if ingested)

Bloom period

Winter – Spring

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to light shade with highly permeable, sandy or gravelly soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil level to prevent water pooling.
Backfill with native soil without adding organic compost or phosphorus-heavy fertilizers.
Water deeply immediately after planting, then transition to infrequent, deep watering once established.

Pro Tip

Pruning must be limited to light tip-pruning of green wood immediately after flowering; cutting back into old, leafless woody stems will kill those branches because the plant lacks epicormic buds to reshoot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in highly drained, sandy or gravelly soils to prevent root rot.
Prune lightly immediately after the spring flowering flush to maintain density.
Use exclusively low-phosphorus or native-specific fertilizers if feeding is necessary.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils or low spots where water collects.
Do not prune hard into old, bare wood, as the plant will fail to reshoot.
Do not apply standard garden fertilizers containing high phosphorus levels.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

GroundcoverRock GardenBank StabilizationCoastal GardenContainer Planting

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Mt Tamboritha Grevillea questions

What zones can Mt Tamboritha Grevillea grow in?

Mt Tamboritha 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 Mt Tamboritha Grevillea deer resistant?

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

When does Mt Tamboritha Grevillea bloom?

Mt Tamboritha 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 Mt Tamboritha Grevillea need full sun?

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

Is Mt Tamboritha Grevillea drought tolerant?

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