Grevillea banksii 'Honey Gem'

Honey Gem Grevillea

Botanical Name: Grevillea ‘Honey Gem’ (≈ G. banksii × G. pteridifolia)
Family: Proteaceae
Origin: Australia (hybrid of QLD species)
Plant Type: Evergreen large shrub to small tree

Overview

A fast-growing, sun-loving grevillea with huge golden–apricot “toothbrush” flowers for months, especially autumn–spring in Adelaide. Ferny, deeply divided foliage and a naturally open habit make it superb for informal screening, feature planting and bird gardens. Thrives in SA’s Mediterranean climate with good drainage and low-phosphorus care.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 4–6 m H × 3–4 m W (can be kept ~2–3 m with pruning)
• Growth Rate: 40–80 cm per year
• Foliage: Deeply divided, ferny mid-green leaves; bronze/copper tints on new growth
• Flowers: Large golden to apricot/orange “toothbrush” racemes (often 15–25 cm), mainly autumn–spring, with spot blooms year-round in mild seasons
  
• Seasonal Interest: Peak colour in the cooler months; evergreen structure year-round
• Wildlife Value: Nectar magnet for honeyeaters/lorikeets; bees and other pollinators; dense growth provides shelter
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established, heat & wind tolerant, second-line coastal OK; light frost tolerant (protect from hard frosts in the Hills); dislikes waterlogging & high phosphorus; calcareous soils may cause chlorosis—manage with compost/iron chelate and mounding
• Planting Density: Informal screen: 1.5–2.5 m apart; Hedged to ~2–3 m: 1.0–1.5 m centres; Specimen: 3–4 m from the next large shrub/tree
• Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic; sap and foliage can irritate sensitive skin—wear gloves when pruning

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hrs) for best flowering; light part shade reduces bloom
• Soil: Well-drained sandy/loam; on heavy sites raise/mound; prefers slightly acidic–neutral soils; on Adelaide’s alkaline soils, add organic matter, elemental sulfur (slowly) and iron chelate if leaves pale
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); minimal in winter
• Maintenance: Tip-prune after flushes to keep dense and promote flower spikes; a hard prune by up to ⅓ in late winter if leggy (avoid cutting into bare old wood). Mulch well; feed in spring with low-P native fertiliser only
• Lifespan: 10–20+ years in free-draining sites
• Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA—excellent on Adelaide Plains and second-line coastal; choose frost-sheltered positions in the Hills
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic–neutral (tolerates slightly alkaline with management)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Informal screen/large hedge for quick privacy
• Feature shrub/small tree with months of bold flowers
• Bird-attracting native garden backbone
• Hot, water-wise borders with westringia, lomandra and grey foliage

Why You Will Love It

Spectacular gold–apricot flower spikes, fast screening, and constant bird action—tailor-made for Adelaide gardens with sun, drainage and low-P care.