Poorinda Peter Grevillea

Poorinda Peter Grevillea (Grevillea acanthifolia x longifolia 'Poorinda Peter') is a fast-growing, spreading native shrub 2m to 3m tall and 2m to 4m wide. Rich bronze new foliage matures to deep green, and burgundy-purple toothbrush flowers open from winter, peaking in late spring and summer. It is an old cultivar that is usually hard to find, and it makes a dense hedge or screen, even on exposed sites.

Why you'll love it

• Bronze new growth. Young leaves flush a rich bronze before maturing to deep green.
• A very long flowering season. Burgundy-purple flowers appear year round, starting in winter and peaking in late spring and summer.
• Good on exposed sites. The dense, spreading growth stands up well to wind.
• Frost hardy. It tolerates frost and some dry spells once established, and it grows happily in Canberra.
• Shelter for birds. The flowers feed nectar-eating birds, and the dense foliage gives them cover.

Where it works best

Informal screens and dense hedges. Plant 1.5m apart in a single row. The wide, spreading growth closes the gaps within a few seasons, leaving a dense screen.

Exposed sites. Use it on open, windy boundaries where its dense foliage breaks the wind and shelters birds.

Winter colour. As a feature shrub, it brings burgundy flowers to the garden when winter has taken most other colour.

Growing Poorinda Peter Grevillea in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun for the best flowering. It tolerates frost and some dry periods once established, and it grows happily in Canberra, so it suits cooler southern and inland gardens as well as warm temperate ones.

Soil. Plant in free draining soil. Its parents come from swampy ground and riverbanks, so it may tolerate wetter soil than most grevilleas, but do not plant it in a bog.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, which usually takes around 12 weeks. Feed with a slow release native fertiliser when buds form, with phosphorus under 3 per cent.

Pruning. Prune yearly after the heaviest flowering for a neat appearance and to encourage new growth.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Poorinda Peter Grevillea as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and in 300mm pots singly. The 300mm pots give an established plant for an instant screen or feature, while tubes are the economical choice for a longer planting. Expect strong growth once the soil is warm. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the page reads sold out, use the notify button and you will get an email the day it returns.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full grevillea range
• Plants for windbreaks
• Frost hardy plants
• Grevillea care guide

Common questions

Is Poorinda Peter frost hardy?

Yes. It tolerates frost once established and grows happily in Canberra.

When does it flower?

From winter, with a peak in late spring and summer. Some flowers appear year round.

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 1.5m apart for a dense hedge or screen. It spreads 2m to 4m, so closer planting only crowds the stems.