Grevillea lanigera x rhyolitica 'Bloodline'

Bloodline Grevillea

Botanical Name: Grevillea (lanigera × rhyolitica) ‘Bloodline’
Family: Proteaceae
Origin: Australia (hybrid cultivar)
Plant Type: Evergreen native shrub

Overview

Grevillea ‘Bloodline’ is a striking Australian native shrub valued for its deep red spider flowers and compact, spreading habit. Well suited to Adelaide and South Australian conditions, it thrives in free-draining soils, tolerates heat and drought, and delivers strong colour through the cooler months.

Flowering mainly from late autumn through winter and spring, ‘Bloodline’ provides an important nectar source for birds at a time when little else is in bloom. Naturally low and dense, it works beautifully as a feature shrub, low informal hedge, or part of a mixed native planting.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.6–1.0 m H × 1.0–1.5 m W
• Growth Rate: 20–40 cm per year
• Foliage: Narrow, slightly hairy leaves in grey-green to mid-green tones; evergreen with a soft, woolly texture
• Flowers: Rich crimson to deep red spider flowers held close to the foliage; late autumn–spring
  
• Fragrance: Not fragrant
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage with standout winter and spring flowering
• Wildlife Value: Highly attractive to honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds, plus insects
• Tolerance: Excellent drought tolerance once established; Very good heat tolerance; Good wind tolerance; Moderate coastal tolerance (second-line; not beachfront); Light frost tolerant; Does not tolerate heavy or waterlogged soils
• Planting Density: Low hedge / mass planting: space 1–1.2 m apart; Feature planting: allow 1.2–1.5 m spacing
• Pet Friendly: Generally regarded as non-toxic

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to light part shade (best flowering in full sun)
• Soil: Free-draining sandy, loam or gravelly soils; performs well in mildly alkaline and limestone-based SA soils
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 6–8 weeks; Established: Very low water needs; occasional deep watering during extended dry periods
• Maintenance: Low maintenance; Light prune after flowering to maintain compact shape; Avoid high-phosphorus fertilisers; use native fertiliser sparingly if required
• Lifespan: Typically 15–25+ years in suitable conditions
• Climate Zones: Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate South Australia, including Adelaide Plains, Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula
• Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline preferred; tolerant of mildly acidic soils if well drained

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Low informal hedging or border planting
• Feature shrub in native and bird-attracting gardens
• Water-wise and gravel gardens
• Mixed native beds with Correa, Westringia, Lomandra, Eremophila
• Suitable for exposed inland sites with good drainage

Why You Will Love It

Grevillea ‘Bloodline’ delivers rich winter colour with true native toughness. Compact, resilient and wildlife-friendly, it’s an excellent choice for Adelaide gardens wanting bold flowers, low water use and year-round structure with minimal effort.