Australia

You'd be forgiven for thinking this cultivar must be one of those with a slop name used to force the acceptance of double trademarked and patented promotional names but no this is an honest old-fashioned denotation of its Aussie origin point. This of course means it doesn't toot its own horn for its unique floral color, eschewing the usual red of G. juniperina for a seldom seen pale gold hue. New hardy Grevilleas are always exciting to have in the arsenal, especially when that hardiness comes without caveats or borderline warnings. This species is certainly reliable all the way down to 10F if not lower. Forming a needle leaved prostrate shrub unhospitable to fauna foraging.

Proteaceae is a family of plant royalty with a loyal following, and for good reason the flowers of the group are often some of the most spectacularly otherworldly and botanically intricate of any in the plant kingdom. Unfortunately we here in the PNW are limited to a few choice species in an even choicer few genera. Generally this isn't thought to include the radical "cone"-bearing Aussie group Banksia though if ever there was a species to be tried here this is the one. We have heard rumors of successful specimens in Seattle and some of the coastal-est climes of the region. For those in the Bay just buy it and revel in the stamen-loaded goodness while we weep with envy. A sheltered sunny spot with as much heat as you can muster, with decent drainage and no phosphorous will give you the best chances.

Quite the distinctive Grevillea being a true groundcover growing very flat to the ground. The oak-like leaves are bronze when young and mature to a dark green both colors providing a fine backdrop for the large feathery combs of red flowers. This is likely not hardy below the mid teens but is grown successfully at the Barca garden on Whidbey Island in a raised bed against a south facing wall and also is luxuriant at the Miller Botanic Garden in Seattle where it flows down a slope and where curator Richie Steffen gave us our cuttings. Sun and good drainage and low phosphorous if you do fertilize. At least this is easy to cover being flat in the event of a severe cold snap!