Overview

Grevillea 'Canberra Gem' is a bushy conservatory greenhouse in the genus Grevillea, part of the Proteaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 2.5-4 metres tall and 2.5-4 metres wide, reaching full size in around 10-20 years. Grevillea 'Canberra Gem' grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include coastal, mediterranean climate plants, city and courtyard gardens, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.

About

Grevillea 'Canberra Gem' is an evergreen member of the Proteaceae that produces flowers from May to September. It forms a rounded, multi-stemmed shrub reaching 2.5-4 metres and takes 10-20 years to reach mature size. Best grown in full sun on loam or sandy, well-drained, acid to neutral soils in sheltered east-, south- or west-facing positions, and it can be grown in a conservatory or greenhouse.

About the genus

Grevillea, commonly known as spider flowers, is a genus of about 360 species of evergreen flowering plants in the family Proteaceae. Plants in the genus Grevillea are shrubs, rarely trees, with the leaves arranged alternately along the branches, the flowers zygomorphic, arranged in racemes at the ends of branchlets, and the fruit a follicle that splits down one side only, releasing one or two seeds.

Wikipedia contributors, "Grevillea", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Grevillea

In the garden

Grevillea 'Canberra Gem' is an evergreen Grevillea cultivar in the family Proteaceae, used as a large shrub or for protected glasshouse planting. Its reliable flowering runs from May to September, so it provides an extended floral period through late spring and into early autumn. The plant ultimately reaches 2.5-4 metres in both height and spread and takes around 10-20 years to achieve that size. Position it in full sun on free-draining loam or sandy soils with an acid to neutral pH. Sheltered sites with an east-, south- or west-facing aspect suit it best; exposure should be sheltered rather than exposed. Its use as a conservatory or greenhouse specimen is identified, which makes it a practical option where outdoor conditions are colder or windier. Allow sufficient space for a mature specimen when siting it in a border or as a tall screen; the 2.5-4 metre spread means it will form a substantial background plant. Because flowering extends from May to September, place Grevillea 'Canberra Gem' where its long display can be appreciated at close range, such as beside a path or patio.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Grevillea

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

East-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Grevillea 'Canberra Gem' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Conservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

2.5-4 metres

Spread

2.5-4 metres

Time to full height

10-20 years

Suggested uses

Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Grevillea 'Canberra Gem'

Propagation

Semi-hardwood cuttings

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Honey fungus

Frequently asked questions

More in the Grevillea genus

• Grevillea 'Chatsworth Lorran'Spider Flower