Grevillea lanigera 'Winter Delight'

Woolly Grevillea 'Winter Delight'

Botanical Name: Grevillea lanigera 'Winter Delight'
Family: Proteaceae
Origin: South-eastern Australia (Victoria, NSW, ACT); cultivar selection
Plant Type: Evergreen compact shrub

Overview

'Winter Delight' is a compact, low-spreading form of the woolly grevillea, valued for its spectacular winter-to-spring flower display of red and cream spider-type blooms that sit densely over the soft, grey-green woolly foliage. As the name suggests, it peaks in the cooler months when few other plants are in full colour, making it invaluable for year-round garden interest. Hardy, drought-tolerant and naturally compact, it suits low borders, rockeries and native garden edges in SA's temperate climate.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.3–0.5 m H x 1.0–1.5 m W
• Growth Rate: Moderate; 15–25 cm per year; low-spreading with a dense, prostrate to mounding habit
• Foliage: Small, linear, soft-textured leaves with woolly grey-green surface; attractive year-round
• Flowers: Bicolour red and cream spider-type flowers; dense display from winter through spring; non-fragrant
• Seasonal Interest: Peak flowering winter–spring; attractive woolly foliage year-round
• Wildlife Value: Excellent bird-attractant — honeyeaters forage through flower clusters; provides low shelter for small fauna
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; frost hardy (handles to −5°C); heat-tolerant; wind-tolerant; clay-tolerant if well-drained; suitable for exposed sites
• Planting Density: Low border/groundcover: 80 cm–1 m apart; rockery: 1–1.2 m apart; mass: 80 cm centres
• Pet Friendly: May cause contact dermatitis and mild digestive upset if ingested; discourage chewing

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade; flowers best and most compactly in full sun
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or gravelly soils; tolerates slightly alkaline; avoid phosphorus-rich fertilisers and waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer; rarely in winter — only if prolonged dry.
• Maintenance: Light trim after main flowering to maintain compact shape; mulch in spring; use low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly
• Lifespan: 15–25 years in free-draining conditions
• Climate Zones: Suited to all SA temperate zones including Adelaide Hills, inland areas, coastal second-line and metro gardens
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7.0); tolerates slight alkalinity

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Winter-interest planting alongside Westringia and Correa for off-season colour
• Low native borders and rockery fill between larger shrubs
• Slope stabilisation and erosion control on dry banks
• Underplanting for open native canopy trees

Why You Will Love It

When the garden goes quiet in winter, 'Winter Delight' puts on its best show — masses of red and cream flowers over soft grey foliage, alive with birds, all from one of the toughest natives you can plant in SA.