tree

Beefwood

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea striata, commonly known as beefwood, is an evergreen Australian tree or robust shrub reaching thirty feet in cultivation, distinguished by its dark, deeply fissured, corky bark and open crown. The long, strap-like leaves feature prominent longitudinal striations on their silky-haired undersides and remain attractive year-round.

During winter, spring, and summer, the branches bear cylindrical clusters of cream-colored flowers arranged in branching panicles. These nectar-rich blooms attract insect pollinators and hummingbirds in North American landscapes despite the plant's arid Australian origins.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides architectural interest with its deeply fissured, corky bark, open crown, and long, silver-backed leaves.

Serves as an exceptionally drought-tolerant windbreak or specimen tree in arid and semi-arid landscapes.

Provides a rich source of nectar for bees, beneficial insects, and hummingbirds during its long blooming period.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

360"

Width

120"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to Moderate

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Winter – Summer

In flower about 9 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with exceptionally well-drained soil, such as gravelly loam or deep sand.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Water deeply immediately after planting to settle the soil, then restrict irrigation to periods of prolonged dry weather.
Avoid applying any standard garden fertilizers; use only specialized low-phosphorus native plant formulas if necessary.

Pro Tip

Avoid pruning back into the old, heavily fissured wood, as the plant lacks the capacity to regenerate shoots from mature bark.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in a highly elevated bed or sloped area to guarantee rapid drainage.
Protect young specimens from frost using burlap or frost cloth during their first few winters.
Prune lightly immediately after the summer flowering period to maintain a tidy shape.

Don't

Do not use standard general-purpose fertilizers, as high phosphorus levels are toxic to the root system.
Do not overwater or allow water to pool around the root zone, which triggers fatal root rot.
Do not cut back severely into old, leafless, corky wood.

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

Specimen TreeXeriscapingWindbreakScreening

Companion Plants

Anigozanthos flavidus Acacia cognata Westringia fruticosa

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Beefwood questions

What zones can Beefwood grow in?

Beefwood 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.

Is Beefwood deer resistant?

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

When does Beefwood bloom?

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

Does Beefwood need full sun?

Beefwood does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Beefwood drought tolerant?

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