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Grevillea ‘Orange Marmalade’ is an open shrub that can reach up to 3 metres in height.
It is a hybrid whose parents are said to be two species from Queensland, Grevillea glossadenia and Grevillea venusta. It appeared in a Brisbane garden.
The elliptical leaves are up to 15 centimetres long (usually shorter), to 3 cm wide, with prominent veins. Leaf shape and appearance are similar to that of the rare Grevillea shiressii.
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 shortly-cylindrical to spider-racemes, about 6 cm long by 8 cm wide, orange in colour with red styles and resemble the colour of orange marmalade hence the name. 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 40 mm long. The perianths are yellow with hints of darker orange.
Author’s notes:
Grevillea ‘Orange Marmalade’ is a striking plant.
To grow ‘Orange Marmalade’ in our frosty garden (near Armidale) requires a sheltered area. We tried a plant in an exposed part of the garden. Unfortunately, this specimen never made it through the first winter. The survivor is thriving against the north facing wall of the house where Eastern Spinebills are constant visitors.
In non-frost areas, it is hardy in a sunny to part-shade area on a well-draining soil. It can be used to form a dense screen. It is a popular cultivar.
Flowers are carried for many months and are attractive to honeyeaters particularly Eastern Spinebills.
Must be propagated by cuttings to retain ‘true-to-form’ type.
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.
‘Orange Marmalade’ – named for the colour of the inflorescences.
Gardening with Angus – Grevillea ‘Orange Marmalade’ profile page https://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/grevillea-orange-marmalade-grevillea/
Wrigley, J.W. & Fagg, M.I. (2001). Australian Native Plants – Propagation, cultivation and use in landscaping. 4th edition. New Holland Publishers, Pty. Ltd. Australia.
Ross Evans Garden Centre – Grevillea ‘Orange Marmalade’ profile page https://rossevansgardencentre.com.au/products/native-plants/grevillea-orange-marmalade/