Rosemary grevillea Grevillea rosmarinifolia
Rosemary grevillea (Grevillea rosmarinifolia) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Proteaceae family, native to South-eastern Australia (New South Wales and Victoria). It grows 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Rosemary grevillea in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Rosemary grevillea at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Proteaceae |
| Mature height | 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 13–29 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | South-eastern Australia (New South Wales and Victoria) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Rosemary grevillea toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Not well documented; some grevilleas have irritant sap or cyanogenic compounds, so treat as not for eating.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Rosemary grevillea
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Rosemary grevillea in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (6 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (5 plants)
Questions about Rosemary grevillea
- How far apart should I plant Rosemary grevillea?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Rosemary grevillea need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rosemary grevillea need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Rosemary grevillea?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Rosemary grevillea flower?
- From about April for 13–29 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Rosemary grevillea poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Not well documented; some grevilleas have irritant sap or cyanogenic compounds, so treat as not for eating.
- What grows well with Rosemary grevillea?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rosemary grevillea. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Proteaceae are sensitive to phosphorus: use low-phosphorus fertiliser and avoid rich soil.
- Flowers mostly in late winter to spring (Australia) with scattered bloom at other times; dates are mapped to the northern calendar.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Macadamia Macadamia integrifolia
- King protea Protea cynaroides
- Pincushion protea Leucospermum cordifolium
- Coast banksia Banksia integrifolia
- Waratah Telopea speciosissima
- Silver tree (witteboom) Leucadendron argenteum
- Oleander-leaf protea Protea neriifolia
- Common sugarbush Protea repens