Scarlet Moon Grevillea Standard

Scarlet Moon Grevillea Standard (Grevillea 'Scarlet Moon') is a prostrate native grafted onto a clear stem, so instead of running along the ground it carries a weeping head at about 1.8m tall and 1.5m across. Red flowers hang through the foliage and honeyeaters work them relentlessly. It has enough shape to carry a courtyard on its own.

Why you'll love it

• A native with real structure. The weeping head on a clear stem gives a small garden something no shrub can.
• Birds, constantly. Nectar rich red flowers over a long season make it one of the better honeyeater plants for a courtyard.
• Genuinely tough. Drought tolerant, salt tolerant and content in poor soil, so coastal blocks and dry inland gardens both suit it.
• The height is already decided. The graft fixes the trunk at roughly 1.8m, so the effect is there immediately.

Where it works best

Feature planting. One standard beside an entry or in a lawn reads as garden sculpture. Underplant with low natives so the head stays the focus.

Balconies, courtyards and pots. Use a pot 500mm or wider with a free draining native mix. The weeping form suits a raised position where the flowers hang at eye level.

Small gardens. It occupies about 1.5m of width and gives height without a canopy, so it works where a tree is too much.

Growing Scarlet Moon Grevillea in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, all day if possible. Subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens suit it. Light frost only, so the tablelands, cold inland districts and hard frosting southern gardens are outside its range.

Soil. Free draining and lean; poor soil is fine and rich compost is not wanted. Mound the position on clay, and set the plant so the graft union sits well clear of the soil.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only in long dry spells. Feed a low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring and nothing else, because standard garden fertilisers can kill a grevillea.

Pruning. Trim the head lightly after each flush to keep it dense and rounded. Remove any shoot below the graft as soon as you see it, or the rootstock takes over. Keep a young standard staked until the stem can hold the head on its own.

What to expect when it arrives

It is sold in two sizes. The 300mm plant is the formed standard, already worked up on its stem with the weeping head made, which is what the price reflects. Tube stock is the inexpensive option for gardeners happy to grow it on themselves.

A standard travels upright and well packed, though some leaf loss in transit is normal. Expect new growth within four to six weeks in warm weather. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete grevillea care guide
• Compare the full grevillea range
• More bird attracting plants
• Plants that perform on a balcony

Common questions

Will it stay at 1.8m?

Close to it. Trunk height is fixed by the graft, so it does not get taller the way a tree does. The head thickens above that point and a light trim keeps it in proportion.

What fertiliser can I use?

A low phosphorus fertiliser made for Australian natives, applied in early spring. Ordinary complete fertilisers and most manures carry too much phosphorus for grevilleas and can kill an established plant.

Does it need staking?

Yes, while the stem is still slender. A weeping head catches wind, so keep a stake in place until the trunk holds the head steady on its own, and check the tie does not cut in.

Can I grow it in a pot long term?

Yes, provided the pot is at least 500mm wide, the mix is free draining and it never sits in a saucer of water. Potted plants need watering more often than they would in the ground.