Grevillea victoriae

Grevillea victoriae, also called Victoria Grevillea or Royal Grevillea, is a botanic species interesting for its hardiness and long-lasting red flowering. This beautiful shrub native to the mountainous regions of southeastern Australia is characterised by a naturally rounded habit, flexible branches, and relatively large leaves for a Grevillea. It has beautiful green foliage with grey highlights, which remains evergreen in winter. This species prefers a non-calcareous soil that is not too dry.

Grevillea victoriae is a tree of the Proteaceae family. In Australia, it is found in the mountains of New South Wales. It forms a medium-sized bush with a habit that is both rounded and upright. Depending on the growing conditions, it can reach a height of 2m with a similar spread. Its branches are more or less spreading to ascending, or even slightly trailing. The leaves are elliptical to lanceolate in shape, or even broadly ovate, pointed or rounded. They measure 6 to 12 cm in length. The leaf is smooth and dark green with a bluish tint on the upper side, while the silky undersides are silver-grey. They are decorative all year round in mild climates, but can be damaged by frost from -5 or -6°C onwards. A well-established specimen can withstand brief frosts of around -9 to -10°C in very well-drained soil. The flowering is abundant in November and can continue for several months, or even all year round in mild, not too dry climates. The flowers, grouped in pendulous, conical and loose clusters, appear at the ends of the branches or in the axils of the leaves. They are tubular, measuring 2.5 cm in length, and bright red.

Grevillea victoriae can be used as a hedge or as a solitary specimen in coastal gardens. In a large exotic bed, it can be planted alongside other Australian plants such as Callistemons, a Melaleuca gibbosa, or Leptospermum 'Silver Sheen'. As a hedge, it can be accompanied by 'Olearia virgata or the tall Escallonia Iveyi with white flowers, for example.