Red Wings Grevillea

Red Wings Grevillea (Grevillea thelemanniana 'Red Wings') is a low spreading native that covers ground fast and flowers for most of the year. It reaches only about 60cm tall but spreads to 1.5m, throwing out fine feathery grey green foliage and clusters of red spider flowers that honeyeaters find within weeks. It is one of the best choices for a hot, dry bank nobody wants to maintain.

Why you'll love it

• Wide and low. At 60cm high and 1.5m across it covers a lot of ground per plant without ever blocking a view or a window.
• Flowers nearly year round. Red spider flowers appear in flushes through most seasons, with the heaviest showing from late winter into spring.
• Birds instead of upkeep. Honeyeaters work the flowers daily, and beyond an annual trim there is very little to do.
• Thrives on hard sites. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant, salt tolerant and happy in poor sandy soil, so it suits the spots that defeat other groundcovers.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Plant 1m apart for a dense groundcover. The branches weave together at that spacing and shade out most weeds by the second season.

Retaining walls and slopes. Set it along the top of a wall and let it cascade over the face, or plant a bank where mowing is impractical. The fibrous roots help hold loose soil.

Rockeries and coastal gardens. Sharp drainage and salt laden wind suit it, so it works on exposed seaside blocks where softer plants brown off.

Growing Red Wings Grevillea in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, and plenty of it. It is at home in subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens. It takes light frost only, so cold inland districts, the tablelands and hard frosting southern gardens are not suitable without a warm sheltered wall.

Soil. Drainage matters more than fertility. Sandy and gravelly soils are ideal. On clay, plant on a raised mound, because wet feet in summer is the most common way this plant is lost.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. Never use standard fertiliser: grevilleas are phosphorus sensitive and a low phosphorus native blend in early spring is all they want.

Pruning. Tip prune lightly after the main flush to keep it compact. Avoid cutting back into bare old wood, since it reshoots reluctantly from thick stems.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown as tube stock and as 140mm plants in packs of ten. Tubes are the economical way to cover a large bank, and grevilleas establish quickly from small sizes, often overtaking bigger stock within two seasons. The 140mm packs give you a head start on a smaller area.

Plants arrive young and open rather than bushy; the spreading habit develops in the ground. Expect a quiet month, then rapid growth once the roots are away. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the full grevillea care guide.
• Compare varieties in the grevillea collection.
• See other plants for retaining walls and slopes.
• Browse more bird attracting plants.

Common questions

How many do I need to cover a bank?

At 1m spacing, one plant per square metre. Stagger the rows rather than planting in a grid so the cover closes evenly across the slope.

Why is mine yellowing and dying back?

Almost always drainage or fertiliser. Grevilleas will not tolerate wet roots in summer, and phosphorus in ordinary garden fertiliser burns them. Check both before anything else.

Is it safe around pets and children?

The foliage can irritate sensitive skin on contact, so wear gloves when pruning and site it away from paths where bare legs brush past. It is not listed as pet friendly.