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A low growing, compact shrub to about 1 x 1 metre tall and wide.
This cultivar is reportedly a cross between G. alpina and G. rosmarinifolia that originated near Ararat in Victoria. It was registered by Plant Growers Australia in 1985.
It has clustered linear leaves to about 3 cm long x 0.4 cm wide, dark to mid green with a distinct raised midrib and pungent tip.
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 spider to shortly cylindrical inflorescences, to about 6 cm long by about 5 cm wide. The inflorescences are bright yellow and red with tinges of green.
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 25 mm long, red with light green tips. The perianths are bright, deep-yellow with hues of green.
The characteristics of the follicles are unknown.
A very attractive shrub, only growing to 1 metre tall, it can be rounded and made very dense with light pruning.
Useful in rockeries and in small garden beds. It also acts as a groundcover.
Can be used en masse in larger beds and as a low hedge. Grow in an open sunny to part-shade position. Additional watering will promote flowering.
Very showy flowers with their deep yellow and red colouring.
Prune lightly to control and create density as well as to promote flowering. Can be grown on clay or sandy soil with adequate drainage. It is frost tolerant. Good for attracting birds.
It can become woody with sparse foliage, over time, and may last about 10 years before needing replacement.
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.
Note: There is another cultivar called “Goldfever” which is different. There is also a very similar cultivar called ‘Lemon Daze’.
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.
‘Gold Rush’ – named for the colour of the inflorescences and for the fact that Ararat was part of the Gold Rush in Victoria.
Touch of Class Plants – Grevillea ‘Gold Rush’ profile page https://www.touchofclassplants.com.au/products/grevillea-alpina-x-rosmarinifolia-gold-rush/
Australian Cultivar Registration Authority – Grevillea ‘Gold Rush’ profile page https://acra.biodiversity.services/info/rdetail/496