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A shrub growing to 1.5 x 1.5 metres. It is a resulting seedling of Grevillea ‘Billy Bonkers’. It was bred by Richard Tomkin at a nursery in Queensland (see ‘Billy Bonkers’ profile for parentage).
It has finely dissected leaves (pinnatisect) to about 10 cm long by 4 cm wide, with narrow and opposite-linear segments, only about 0.2 cm across.
A grevillea inflorescence is technically a cluster of paired flowers, termed a conflorescence with the overall structure forming a raceme-like appearance. Grevillea species exhibit 3 main inflorescence structures:
– 1. A cylindrical to ovoid raceme (with flowers emerging around a 360° radius)
– 2. A single-sided raceme (with flowers produced on only one side, resembling a tooth-brush)
– 3. A condensed or clustered raceme (usually as long as it is wide, with species referred to as the spider-flowers).
Grevillea mostly produce the inflorescences at the terminals, beyond the foliage, which differs to the closely related Hakea.
This cultivar has cylindrical racemes, with inflorescences to about 10 cm long by about 5 cm long. They are bright-deep pink (raspberry). However, when in bud, the inflorescences are grey-green. Flowers for most of the year.
Individual flowers are composed of 1 carpel (female part) where the style and stigma protrude out; 4 stamens hidden away in the perianth; and the perianth (petals and sepals collectively) which connects to a pedicel. Proteaceae flowers do not have any discernible petals or sepals (having only one whorl) and so these are referred to as “tepals” of which there are 4. In this cultivar, the carpels are to 30 mm long, bright deep-pink with pink tips. The perianths are also bright deep-pink (raspberry).
A very attractive shrub with its dark green fern-like foliage and bright pink inflorescences. Grow in an open sunny position with some room to spread out. Reported to be hardy once established, additional watering will promote flowering.
Prune to shape, should not need very hard pruning as it only grows to less than 2 x 2 metres. Tolerates a range of soils. Will only tolerate light frosts.
Great cut flower – harvest when flowers are just starting to open. It can create a dense screen when planted in a row.
Grevilleas are propagated by three principal methods; seed, cuttings and grafting. To maintain desirable characteristics of a particular plant, vegetative propagation (e.g. cuttings or grafting) must be used. This also applies to propagation of named cultivars.
Grevillea is a diverse genus of about 360 species of evergreen flowering plants native to rainforest and more open habitats in Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Sulawesi and other Indonesian islands east of the Wallace Line. NSW currently has about 85 species although with a lot of subspecies and some informal taxa recognised.
Grevillea flowers were a traditional favourite among First Nations Peoples for their sweet nectar. This could be shaken onto the hand to enjoy, or into a coolamon with a little water to make a sweet drink. They might be referred to as the original “bush lollies”.
Grevillea – was named in honour of Charles Francis Greville (1749-1809), an 18th-century patron of botany and co-founder of the Royal Horticultural Society. He was also a British antiquarian, collector and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1774 to 1790.
‘Lollypops’ – named for the raspberry-colour of the inflorescences.
Windyridge Nursery – Grevillea ‘Lollypops’ profile page https://www.grevilleas.com.au/grev53.html
Gardening with Angus – Grevillea ‘Lollypops’ profile page https://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/grevillea-hybrid_lollypops-1.jpg