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A small compact shrub to 0.3 metres tall to 1.5 metres wide.
Reportedly, it arose frome the self-pollination of G. ‘Gold Fever’, which is a cross between G. juniperina and G. rhyolitica. It was registered by Peter Ollerenshaw of Bywong Nursery in 2016.
Leaves are thin and prickly, mid to dark green, to about 3 cm long by only 0.5 cm wide.
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 is one of the spider-flowers, with inflorescences to about 4 cm wide by about 3 cm long. They are bright red and are produced profusely over 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 red. The perianths are also bright red.
A very hardy grevillea which lends itself to rockeries and small beds. Also good for pots.
It can create a nice dense groundcover.
Prune lightly to shape and encourage flowering as well as to control its form.
Grow in a sunny to semi-shaded position. It does not like high humidity and ensure good air flow and drying out after watering.
Additional information from a member who has 3 plants growing in a Sydney suburban garden on heavy loam soil: Plants do not receive full sun all day. They receive either morning or afternoon sun and some dappled light in between.
Main flowering is August onwards and they are never without a few flowers. They have been slow to establish and grow on for the first two seasons. They do not need additional watering in dry spells but will flower better if they do. An attractive prostrate and not too dense ground cover that is hardy once established as was the parent – G. ‘Goldfever’.
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 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 is a diverse genus of about 365 species with about 357 occurring in Australia. Some species occur in New Caledonia, Indonesia and New Guinea. NSW currently has about 85 species although with a lot of subspecies and some informal taxa recognised.
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.
‘New Blood’ – named for the colour of the inflorescences.
Gardening with Angus – Grevillea ‘New Blood’ profile page https://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/grevillea-new-blood-grevillea/
Australian Cultivar Registration Authority – Grevillea ‘New Blood’ profile page https://acra.biodiversity.services/info/rdetail/672