Don carried out renovation pruning on a neglected Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’. He explained that severe pruning would kill or cure the grevillea: it would die, or it would send out new growth. Either way you’re better off, because there’s really no place for an ugly, struggling plant in the garden.
Two weeks later Don checked on the plant, and the results were very good. The dormant buds under the bark had burst into life and the plant was covered in lush new growth. Grevilleas tend to flower on the tips of new growth, so it will only be a matter of another few weeks before the ‘Robyn Gordon’ is covered in flowers again.
Don’s pruning tips
The best time to prune grevilleas is just after their major spring flowering flush (around October in most areas). You can prune at other times, but keep in mind that if you prune in autumn you’ll be cutting off all the flower buds that would open through winter when nectar feeding birds have a tough time finding enough to eat. Don’t prune all your grevilleas at once. Stagger the pruning over several weeks so that the birds will have a constant supply of nectar. Grevilleas need to be treated like rose bushes, not in terms of fertilising but in terms of pruning. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in and prune off as much as 1m (3′) in length if necessary. The plant will produce new shoots and look thicker and more attractive within three or four months. During pruning, stand back every now and again and eyeball the plant from a distance to see how it’s shaping up. Don’t worry about cutting off flowers – more will soon come. Grevilleas flower more prolifically when pruned regularly. Some people are allergic to contact with grevilleas, so wear long sleeves and gloves when pruning.
Further information
Pruning saws cost about $20-$35. Don pruned the grevillea with a Bahco wooden handle 13″ pruning saw (around $20).