Grevillea leptobotrys
Don looked at a form of Grevillea leptobotrys, a low growing native shrub with lovely mauve-pink flowers.
Plant details
Common name: none
Botanic name: Grevillea leptobotrys
Description: A low growing and sprawling Australian native shrub with wiry, much divided, grey-green leaves up to 10cm (4″) long, and pretty mauve-pink flowers for much of the year. The plant spreads from 1-3m (3′ -10′) wide.
Best climate: This plant is native to areas of Western Australia which have hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. It is difficult to grow in other areas, where it may be short-lived unless grafted onto a reliable rootstock.
Best look:
specimen plant rockery plant groundcover silver foliage garden native garden
Good points:
attractive mauve-pink flowers long flowering unusual lobed leaves silver-grey foliage colour
Downside:
short life span especially when grown on its own roots – always buy a grafted plant this grevillea is rare and hard to find
Care:
Grevillea leptobotrys needs perfectly drained soil, and likes a warm, dry, sheltered position, ideally in dappled shade. It can be grown in pots using a coarse, free-draining native plant mix. Protect from frost.
Getting started:
We filmed this plant at the Illawarra Grevillea Park, Bulli. Phone (02) 4284 9216. Opening dates for the Park are 21 & 22, 28 & 29 July, 22 & 23, 29 & 30 September from 10am to 4pm. Admission fee $3.
This grevillea may be very hard to find – your local native nursery may be able to order it in for you. There are several distinct forms of this plant.
Native Plant Nurseries:
NSW
Annangrove Grevilleas Native Nursery, Kenthurst. Phone: (02) 9654 1380
Cranebrook Native Nursery, Cranebrook. Phone: (02) 4777 4256
Sydney Wildflower Nursery West, Marsden Park. Phone: (02) 9628 4448
Sydney Wildflower Nursery South, Heathcote. Phone: (02) 9548 2818
QLD
Fairhill Native Plants, Yandina. Phone: (07) 5446 7088
Nielsen’s Native Nursery, Loganholme. Phone: (07) 3806 1414
VIC
Kuranga Native Nursery, Ringwood. Phone: (03) 9879 4076
Mt Cassell Native Nursery, Pomonal. Phone: (03) 5356 6351
SA
Nellie Nursery, Mannum. Phone: (08) 8569 1762
WA
Zanthorrea Nursery, Maida Vale. Phone: (08) 9454 6260