Grevillea

The genus Grevillea unites more than 200 beautifully flowering evergreen trees and shrubs. The leaves are regular, in some species small, similar to erica leaves, divided into 5 lobes or deeply incised, which makes the plant acquire a peculiar appearance. The flowers are very small, collected in a dense oblong or cylindrical spike-shaped inflorescence. The tubular perianth in the bud is divided into 4 segments when it blooms; an arched pistil column appears. The fruit is a leathery or woody leaflet. As the fruit ripens, the bracts become lignified and together with the axis ears form a kind of "cones". Alpine Grevillea (Grevillea alpina, or G. alpestris) is a rather low-growing (no more than 1-2 m) shrubby sprawling species. Openwork dissected leaves are bluish-green; perianth lobes are yellow, and stigmas (the upper part of the pistil) are red. Flowering is early, occurs in April-June. Grevillea powerful (G. robusta) is a shrubby or tree-like (up to 5-15 m) species that rarely blooms in cold climates. During the flowering period, the tree is covered with many beautiful reddish-brown or orange racemes. Johnson's Grevillea (G. johnsonii) is a round-shaped shrub with dark green pinnate (composed of narrow leaflets) glossy leaves 12-25 cm long. Red-cream waxy flowers are collected in erect inflorescences. Grevillea thelemann (G. thelemanniana) comes in various shapes and forms. The color of pinnate leaves varies from gray-green to green. In early spring, pink, green-speckled flowers collected in brushes bloom. Grevillea juniperina (G. juniperina) is a round-shaped shrub with thin lanceolate or linear leaves. In the spring and summer period (occasionally at other times), small flowers of various colors collected in slightly drooping inflorescences bloom. Grevillea Banks (G. banksii) is a shrub or small tree with silky brownish hairy shoots. The leaves are deeply peristaltic, pubescent from below. Bright red flowers are collected in dense one-sided brushes. Grevillea pyramidiculata (G. thyrsoideus) is a species with characteristic openwork leaves deeply incised into leaflets. From April to June, pink flowers appear. There are numerous varieties. Red Canberra blooms in summer; Constance blooms in orange-red blooms.

The genus Grevillea unites more than 200 beautifully flowering evergreen trees and shrubs. The leaves are regular, in some species small, similar to erica leaves, divided into 5 lobes or deeply incised, which makes the plant acquire a peculiar appearance. The flowers are very small, collected in a dense oblong or cylindrical spike-shaped inflorescence. The tubular perianth in the bud is divided into 4 segments when it blooms; an arched pistil column appears. The fruit is a leathery or woody leaflet. As the fruit ripens, the bracts become lignified and together with the axis ears form a kind of "cones".

Alpine Grevillea (Grevillea alpina, or G. alpestris) is a rather low-growing (no more than 1-2 m) shrubby sprawling species. Openwork dissected leaves are bluish-green; perianth lobes are yellow, and stigmas (the upper part of the pistil) are red. Flowering is early, occurs in April-June.

Grevillea powerful (G. robusta) is a shrubby or tree-like (up to 5-15 m) species that rarely blooms in cold climates. During the flowering period, the tree is covered with many beautiful reddish-brown or orange racemes.

Johnson's Grevillea (G. johnsonii) is a round-shaped shrub with dark green pinnate (composed of narrow leaflets) glossy leaves 12-25 cm long. Red-cream waxy flowers are collected in erect inflorescences.

Grevillea thelemann (G. thelemanniana) comes in various shapes and forms. The color of pinnate leaves varies from gray-green to green. In early spring, pink, green-speckled flowers collected in brushes bloom.

Grevillea juniperina (G. juniperina) is a round-shaped shrub with thin lanceolate or linear leaves. In the spring and summer period (occasionally at other times), small flowers of various colors collected in slightly drooping inflorescences bloom.

Grevillea Banks (G. banksii) is a shrub or small tree with silky brownish hairy shoots. The leaves are deeply peristaltic, pubescent from below. Bright red flowers are collected in dense one-sided brushes.

Grevillea pyramidiculata (G. thyrsoideus) is a species with characteristic openwork leaves deeply incised into leaflets. From April to June, pink flowers appear. There are numerous varieties. Red Canberra blooms in summer; Constance blooms in orange-red blooms.

Cultivation

Grevillea can be grown in the open ground only in mild climates, and it is necessary to protect it from the wind. If the winters are harsh, the plants are cultivated in pots: in the summer months they are taken out into the open air, and in the winter, they are brought into a bright, cool room. Planting in the open air is carried out in April-May. The land should be neutral or slightly acidic, rich in organic matter. In addition, immediately after planting and in the autumn period, it is necessary to mulch the soil - covering the surface with straw or fallen leaves. When growing in pots, use containers with a diameter of 15-20 mm. cm for small species and 25-30 cm for larger specimens. In the summer months, plants are fed - fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation every 2 weeks at the rate of 10 g per bucket. Does not tolerate waterlogging.

Location

Grevillea needs a place in the open sun. Indoor areas where plants are kept in winter should be well lit.

Temperature

Plants do not tolerate air temperatures below 5 °C.

Watering

The plant is hardy to drought, however, in the spring and summer period, frequent watering is recommended. In winter, it is enough just to keep the soil in a slightly moist state.

Transplant

The plant can be transplanted in early spring, annually, in a new, more spacious pot.

Care

Usually, pruning is not required and maintaining the aesthetic appearance is reduced to removing dry and poorly located branches.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds and cuttings. Cuttings take root with great difficulty. In July, semi-woody twigs of the current year with a "heel" about 8 cm long are taken from the side shoots and planted in a mixture of sand and peat, kept at an air temperature of 15-18 °C. When roots form on the cuttings, they are planted singly in pots until the next spring. Then they can be planted in the ground or transplanted into larger pots. Seeds easily germinate at an air temperature of 20-25 °C. Grevillea powerful is sown in March in the ground, which is a mixture of peat, sand and garden land in equal parts. After the seedlings grow up, they are planted in pots, and in the future, they need the same care as the cuttings that have been taken.

Propagated by seeds and cuttings. Cuttings take root with great difficulty. In July, semi-woody twigs of the current year with a "heel" about 8 cm long are taken from the side shoots and planted in a mixture of sand and peat, kept at an air temperature of 15-18 °C. When roots form on the cuttings, they are planted singly in pots until the next spring. Then they can be planted in the ground or transplanted into larger pots.

Seeds easily germinate at an air temperature of 20-25 °C. Grevillea powerful is sown in March in the ground, which is a mixture of peat, sand and garden land in equal parts. After the seedlings grow up, they are planted in pots, and in the future, they need the same care as the cuttings that have been taken.

Diseases

The roots of plants, especially with poor drainage, can become moldy, so avoid waterlogging the ground.

Acquisition

They are not easy to get — you can find planting material only in a few specialized gardening centers and nurseries. You should buy it in early spring. Choose well-formed, healthy plants.