Botanical Name: Grevillea speciosa
Common Name: Red Spider Grevillea
Family: Proteaceae
Meaning:
Grevillea: Named after English plant collector and propagator Charles Francis Greville.
speciosa: From Latin, meaning showy, referring to the flower.
Habitat: Damp areas in low, sclerophyll woodlands, forests and heath.
Soils: Sandy soils on sandstone.
Habit: Shrub, usually to 1.5 – 2m high.
Leaves: Silky new growth, silvery hairs on the undersurface. Provides shelter for small nectar feeding birds which also pollinate these plants.
Flowers: Bright, crimson red. Shape resembles a spider giving this plant its common name. Drought tolerant, but will flower more profusely if watered. Regenerates from seed. Can also be grown from cuttings.
Flowering time: June to September, but also sporadically throughout the year. Heat and smoke aids the germination of seed.
Range: Restricted to the Greater Sydney region, from Port Jackson to Gosford and Bucketty.
I love this plant but can’t seem to find any for sale. I note that it is your plant of the month – so I though you may know where to buy it. It’s listed on many nursery sites but no one seems to sell it. Help! And thanks.