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An upright narrow shrub growing to 4 metres tall x 1 metre wide. Branches are mainly orientated vertically to mostly vertically. Branches are mainly orientated vertically to mostly vertically.
This cultivar was introduced by Richard Tomkin at Changers Nursery in Queensland. (The exact parentage has not been ascertained for this profile, but Grevillea banksii is one of the parents). There is a pink form and a white form available.
Leaves are to about 20 cm long and 10 cm wide, dissected (pinnatisect) with broad/fat rounded to pointed lobes, with lobes to 2 cm wide (which create much attraction), dark green on top and much paler underneath.
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 wide. They are bright pink-red or white. The inflorescences are grey-green in bud which creates beautiful contrast. It flowers mainly in winter and spring. The inflorescences are held straight up / erect, at the terminals, which creates a dramatic effect.
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.
‘Pink’ – The carpels are to 30 mm long, pink with yellow tips. The perianths are pink-red.
‘White’ – same dimensions, but carpels are white with yellow tips. The perianths are white-cream.
A fast growing and very architectural shrub with its habit. It has a narrow upright form and can be easily kept shorter than 4 metres if desired. Branches have a continuous erect to upright trajectory so some strategic pruning is needed to keep it tidy and of a desired shape. Pruning will also promote flowering. It can create a dense screen when planted in a row. Very useful on open sloping gardens and as a screen. Planted them in a group of row gives a much better effect.
Tolerates a range of soils. Will only tolerate light frosts.
Great cut flower – harvest when flowers are just starting to open.
Excellent bird and insect attractor.
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. These cultivars are now sold as grafted forms.
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”.
May cause contact-dermatitis when pruning, so exercise caution.
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.
‘Pink/White Candelabra’ – named for the appearance of the plant when in flower and the colour of the inflorescences.
Mallee Design – Another Favourite Grafted Grevillea – Grevillea ‘Candelabra Pink’ https://malleedesign.com.au/another-favourite-grafted-grevillea/
Gardening with Angus – Grevillea ‘White and ‘Pink Candelabra’
https://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/grevillea-white-candelabra-grevillea/
https://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/grevillea-pink-candelabra-grevillea/
Windyridge Nursery – Grevillea ‘Pink Candelabra’ profile page
https://www.grevilleas.com.au/grev64.html