Grevillea rosmarinifolia 'Scarlet Sprite'
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Scarlet Sprite Grevillea
Botanical Name: Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Scarlet Sprite’
Family: Proteaceae
Origin: Australian cultivar (derived from eastern Australian species)
Plant Type: Compact evergreen native shrub
Overview
Grevillea ‘Scarlet Sprite’ is a compact, hardy native flowering shrub prized for its masses of vivid scarlet-red spider flowers and neat, rounded form. Exceptionally well suited to Adelaide and South Australian conditions, it thrives in heat, wind and dry soils, making it a reliable choice for waterwise and native gardens.
Flowering from autumn through winter and into spring, this variety provides valuable nectar for birds when many other plants are quiet. Its dense growth and fine foliage make it perfect for low hedges, borders and feature planting in sunny landscapes.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 0.8–1.2 m H × 1.0–1.5 m W
- Growth Rate: 20-40 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Fine, narrow rosemary-like leaves in mid-green to grey-green tones; evergreen with a slightly prickly texture
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Flowers: Bright scarlet-red spider flowers along stems; autumn–spring peak flowering
- Fragrance: Not fragrant
- Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage with strong flowering through the cooler months
- Wildlife Value: Highly attractive to honeyeaters and nectar-feeding birds, plus insects
- Tolerance: Excellent drought tolerance once established; Excellent heat tolerance; Good wind tolerance; Moderate coastal tolerance (second-line; not direct salt spray); Light frost tolerant; Requires free-draining soil; dislikes waterlogging
- Planting Density: Low hedge/border: space 0.8–1 m apart; Mass planting: 2–3 plants per m²
- Pet Friendly: Generally regarded as non-toxic
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering and compact growth
- Soil: Free-draining sandy, loam or gravelly soils; performs well in alkaline and limestone-based Adelaide soils
- Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 6–8 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2-3 weeks in summer; occasional deep watering during extended dry periods
- Maintenance: Low maintenance; Light prune after main flowering to maintain shape and encourage density; Avoid phosphorus-rich fertilisers; use low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly if required
- Lifespan: 15–25+ years in suitable conditions
- Climate Zones: Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate South Australia, including Adelaide Plains, Hills and coastal areas (sheltered)
- Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline preferred; tolerant of mildly acidic soils if well-drained
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Low flowering hedge or border
- Feature shrub in bird-attracting native gardens
- Water-wise and gravel gardens
- Excellent with Correa, Westringia, Lomandra, Eremophila
- Suitable for slopes and embankments with good drainage
Why You Will Love It
Grevillea ‘Scarlet Sprite’ delivers brilliant cool-season colour with classic native resilience. Compact, long-flowering and bird-friendly, it’s a dependable performer for Adelaide gardens needing structure, colour and low water use.