Grevillea johnsonii

Grevillea johnsonii is a very beautiful Australian flowering bush with fast growth and evergreen foliage, well adapted to poor and dry soils but unfortunately not very hardy. It has long and slender leaves resembling dark green pine needles and blooms for a long time, from late winter to the end of spring. The inflorescences are terminal, upright clusters composed of curious bright pink flowers washed with cream, curled up like snail shells and adorned with long stamens. It is an excellent shrub for flower beds or hedges in a coastal garden. It also grows very well in pots, to be protected over winter in less favourable climates.

Grevillea johnsonii is a bush of the proteaceae family named after Dr. Lawrence Johnson, former director of the Sydney Botanical Garden. It is native to New South Wales, a mountainous region located in southeastern Australia. Like many Grevillea, it is a pioneer species in its natural environment: it tolerates fairly poor but non-chalky dry soils, and requires full sun to bloom. Rapidly growing, reaching its adult size in 3-4 years, the plant averages 3m (9 ft 10 in) in height, with a spread of 2m (6 ft 7 in). This bush develops a short, single trunk, topped with a dense and bushy crown. The foliage consists of linear, very thin leaves, 20-25cm (7.9-9.8 in) long, divided into numerous narrow lobes. Its nectar-filled flowering, is at its peak between April and June. The flowers are modest in size, but they are gathered in large numbers in inflorescences that are spider-like in shape. These inflorescences, are composed of a petal-shaped style curled upon itself, ranging in colour from cream to pink, with long purple stamens. The root system of this plant is very dense near the surface, indicating adaptation to nutrient-poor soils and summer drought.

Grevillea johnsonii, is not difficult to cultivate as long as the required conditions are met. This shrub requires little maintenance and can withstand light pruning to maintain its density. It will thrive preferably in coastal gardens unaffected by heavy frosts, in light, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. It will look good when planted alone, on large slopes, or in the back of dry garden beds, but always in an open position, in full sun. In an exotic garden, it can be paired with proteas, Agave, Canary Island viper's bugloss, Euphorbia mellifera, evergreen ceanothus, Melianthus major, palm trees, or even Leptospermum. Growing it in a container allows for both control of the substrate composition and overwintering the shrub in a cold greenhouse or a very bright and minimally heated conservatory.