Grevillea ‘Ned Kelly’

Grevillea ‘Ned Kelly’ is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that produces large, bright orange-red flowers year-round, peaking in autumn and winter. ‘Ned Kelly’ is highly attractive to nectar-feeding birds and pollinators. It thrives in well-drained soil, full sun, and low-maintenance conditions, making it perfect for drought-tolerant and coastal gardens.

Quick Overview:

• Native to: Australia (Hybrid cultivar)
• Origin: Developed in the 1970s at the Kentlyn Australian Plant Nursery in New South Wales, bred from Grevillea banksii and an upright form of Grevillea bipinnatifida
• Height: 2-3 meters
• Width: 2-3 meters
• Foliage: Dense, fine-textured, deep green foliage with a slightly fern-like appearance
• Flowers: Large, bright orange-red spider flowers, blooming year-round with peaks in autumn and winter
• Wildlife Attraction: A magnet for nectar-feeding birds, bees, and butterflies
• Growth Habit: Compact, bushy, and rounded
• Position: Prefers full sun but tolerates light shade
• Soil Preference: Well-drained, sandy to loamy soils; tolerates dry conditions once established
• Drought Tolerance: Highly drought-resistant once established
• Frost Tolerance: Tolerates light frost
• Fertilizer: Use a low-phosphorus native fertilizer to support healthy growth
• Etymology: Grevillea is named after Charles Greville, a co-founder of the Royal Horticultural Society. ‘Ned Kelly’ is named after the famous Australian bushranger, reflecting its bold and striking appearance.

Detailed Description:

Grevillea ‘Ned Kelly’ is a versatile, compact, and hardy Australian native shrub, prized for its spectacular, fiery orange-red flowers that bloom year-round. This hybrid was developed in the 1970s at the Kentlyn Australian Plant Nursery in New South Wales, originating from a cross between Grevillea banksii and an upright form of Grevillea bipinnatifida. The large spider-like blooms are rich in nectar, making this plant a favorite for attracting birds, bees, and butterflies into the garden. The dense, fine-textured foliage provides a lush, green backdrop that contrasts beautifully with the striking flowers.

This low-maintenance and drought-tolerant shrub thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, making it ideal for waterwise gardens, rockeries, and low-maintenance landscapes. It can also be used as a screening hedge or feature plant due to its naturally compact and bushy growth habit.

Growth and Maintenance

• Hedging & Screening: Responds well to light pruning year-round to maintain shape and remove spent flower spikes as desired.
• Feature Plant: Works beautifully as a standalone ornamental shrub, adding bold color and texture to the garden.
• Container Growing: Can be grown in large pots or containers, provided they have excellent drainage.
• Drought Tolerance: Once established, it requires minimal watering and thrives in dry, sandy soils.
• Soil & Fertilization: Requires well-drained soil and benefits from an application of a low-phosphorus native fertilizer twice a year.
• Managing Growth: Light pruning encourages compact growth, while every 3-5 years, a medium to hard prune (10-30% of the plant’s size) is recommended. This helps to promote new growth, improve structure, and rejuvenate the plant. This is best performed in late winter to early spring.

Common Uses

• Wildlife gardens: Attracts nectar-feeding birds, bees, and butterflies
• Screening & hedging: Provides an effective privacy screen when planted in rows
• Feature planting: Adds vibrant color to garden beds and mixed native landscapes
• Coastal gardens: Tolerates sandy soils and salty winds
• Waterwise landscaping: Thrives in low-water conditions, making it ideal for drought-tolerant gardens

Planting Benefits

• Year-round flowering: Produces bright orange-red flowers throughout the year, with peak blooms in autumn and winter
• Wildlife-friendly: Provides an abundant nectar source for birds, bees, and butterflies
• Drought-resistant: Once established, requires minimal watering
• Low maintenance: Thrives with minimal care, requiring only occasional pruning and feeding
• Versatile landscape use: Works well in hedges, screens, feature planting, and containers

Grevillea ‘Ned Kelly’ is a bold, resilient, and highly rewarding plant, offering long-lasting color, wildlife appeal, and ease of care. Whether planted as a hedge, screen, or standalone feature, its striking flowers and hardy nature make it a must-have for Australian native gardens.