Grevillea 'Poorinda Royal Mantle'

One of the best known toothbrush-flowered Grevilleas in Australia, this tough, versatile and attractive hybrid is considered the “old standard” by which all new groundcover Grevilleas are measured. For some reason, it has never really caught on in the United States, though it is grown on a limited basis in California. Forming a low mat just a few inches high and spreading indefinitely, the dark green leaves (bronzy when first appearing) may be strongly lobed or entire, often on the same branch, which is an intriguing sight to see for those not accustomed to the ways of Grevillea. The dark magenta flowers are said to appear over a long period in hot climates, but in the Pacific Northwest it thus far seems to flower all at once in spring and early summer. We shall see if this changes as my specimen matures. This plant will tolerate drought or some irrigation, and is ideal for covering hot sunny banks. In the Pacific Northwest, it will be happiest in gardens receiving less than about 40” of annual precipitation (it will tolerate more, but performs best with superb drainage where there is an excess of winter precipitation). Hardy to about 10 to 15 °F, perhaps a little lower if grown tough. It is also known to tolerate summer heat and humidity, and may do well in parts of the Southeast US.