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Grevillea 'Jubilee'

(cultivar)

Family: Proteaceae

A low growing, compact shrub to about 1 metre tall.

This cultivar was introduced by Austraflora Nurseries, Montrose, Victoria, in 1982. It is reportedly a hybrid between G. rosmarinifolia and G. alpina.

It has clustered linear leaves to about 2.5 cm long x 0.3 cm wide, dark to mid green and paler on the underside.

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 inflorescences, to about 3 cm long by about 3 cm wide. They have a mix of colouring with hues of red-pink and yellow-green. The inflorescences are yellow-green and dark red in bud. It flowers mainly in winter and spring.

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, red-brown with yellow-brown tips. The perianths are a mixture of red-orange and yellow to yellow-green.

In the garden

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. Grow in an open sunny to part-shade position. Reported to be hardy once established, additional watering will promote flowering.

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.

Propagation

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.

Other information

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.

This cultivar has also being known by the name ‘Austraflora Jubilee’. There are other cultivars also possessing ‘Jubilee’ in the name.

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.

‘Jubilee’ – reason for name, as yet, unknown.

Austraflora – Grevillea ‘Jubilee’ profile page                                              https://austraflora.com/project/grevillea-jubilee/

Australian Cultivar Registration Authority – Grevillea ‘Jubilee’ profile page https://acra.biodiversity.services/info/rdetail/543

Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg, M.I. (2001). Australian Native Plants – Propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping. 4th edition. New Holland Publishers, Pty. Ltd. Australia.

By Dan Clarke