shrub

Silky Grevillea

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea sericea, the silky grevillea, is an evergreen Australian shrub reaching two to six feet in height, characterized by angular, ridged branchlets covered in fine, silky hairs. The spider-like flowers feature long, protruding styles in shades of pink, arranged in one-sided clusters that appear from fall through spring.

This species is distinguished by its highly variable foliage, ranging from narrow linear to elliptic leaves with distinctly recurved margins and silky-hairy undersides. The nectar-rich blooms are highly attractive to hummingbirds and generalist pollinators in warm-climate gardens.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces unusual, spider-like pink flowers over an exceptionally long blooming period from fall to spring.

Highly drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for water-wise landscapes and sandy slopes.

Provides a valuable nectar source for hummingbirds and generalist insect pollinators during cooler months.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

78"

Width

78"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Moderate

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Mildly toxic to pets; skin irritant

Bloom period

Fall – Spring

In flower about 9 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site with full sun to light partial shade and exceptionally well-drained, 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 rot.
Backfill with native soil without adding organic compost or standard fertilizers, which can retain too much moisture and phosphorus.
Water deeply immediately after planting, then transition to infrequent, deep watering only until the root system is fully established.

Pro Tip

Plant in highly permeable, sandy soil and avoid all standard fertilizers; even small amounts of phosphorus cause rapid, fatal toxicity in this species.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in raised beds or mounds if native soil is heavy or drains slowly.
Use only specialized, low-phosphorus fertilizers formulated specifically for Australian native plants.
Prune lightly immediately after the spring flowering flush to maintain a dense, bushy habit.

Don't

Do not apply standard general-purpose garden fertilizers containing phosphorus.
Do not prune hard into old, leafless, brown wood, as the plant cannot regenerate from it.
Do not overwater or allow the roots to sit in waterlogged, poorly drained soil.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensCoastal gardensLow-water bordersSpecimen planting

Companion Plants

Banksia spinulosa Anigozanthos flavidus Westringia fruticosa

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Silky Grevillea questions

What zones can Silky Grevillea grow in?

Silky 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.

Is Silky Grevillea deer resistant?

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

When does Silky Grevillea bloom?

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

Does Silky Grevillea need full sun?

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

Is Silky Grevillea drought tolerant?

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