Grevillea Juniperina
Grevillea juniperina R.Br.
Grevillea juniperina, the juniper grevillea, is a highly variable and widely cultivated Australian native shrub bearing spider-like flower clusters in red, orange, yellow, pink, or apricot against fine juniper-like leaves. Hardy, adaptable, and prolific in nectar production, it is a parent of many of Australia's most popular garden grevillea hybrids.
Proteaceae
Peaks from mid-winter to early summer (July to December); some subspecies and cultivars may produce flowers at any time of year; the popular cultivar "Molonglo" flowers mainly in winter and spring
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: banksias and saxifrages also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Grevillea juniperina holds a distinguished place in Australian botanical history as one of the earliest Australian plants to enter European cultivation. Seed was sent to England by explorer and botanist Allan Cunningham in 1820, and the plant was growing in English gardens by 1821. Baron Charles von Hugel grew it in Vienna in 1831. The species was formally described by the celebrated Scottish botanist Robert Brown in 1810 in his foundational work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen. The type specimen was collected from the Port Jackson area of Sydney by botanist George Caley in 1803. The genus Grevillea was named in honour of Charles Francis Greville (1749-1809), an English patron of botany, amateur collector, politician, and co-founder of the Royal Horticultural Society. The specific epithet juniperina refers to the juniper-like foliage, from the Latin Juniperinus. As a parent of so many widely grown hybrid grevilleas, including the celebrated "Molonglo" (a spreading apricot-yellow form) and "Poorinda Queen," Grevillea juniperina has shaped the Australian garden landscape in ways far beyond its own considerable ornamental value. One subspecies, G. j. juniperina, restricted to western Sydney, is listed as Vulnerable in New South Wales due to habitat loss from housing development, making conservation awareness an important aspect of its cultural identity.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to dappled shade; flowers most freely in a sunny position; tolerates some shade
Water
Drought-tolerant once established; tolerates dry conditions and short dry spells; water regularly until established; avoid prolonged waterlogging
Soil
Clay, Clay loam, Alluvial, Sandy loam, Loam, Well-drained to moderately drained, Acidic to neutral
Expert Growing Tips
Plant in any well-drained soil in a sunny or lightly shaded position; one of the most adaptable grevilleas to varied soil types including clay
Drought-tolerant and frost-hardy once established; tolerates moderate to heavy frosts across most forms
Prune lightly after the main flowering flush to maintain shape and encourage denser growth; can tolerate quite hard pruning if needed
Apply a low-phosphorus native-specific fertiliser sparingly in spring; never use phosphorus-rich general fertilisers
Note that grevillea foliage can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals; wear gloves and long sleeves when handling or pruning, and especially with the prickly-leaved subspecies
Propagate from semi-hardwood cuttings; seed germination is possible but produces variable offspring; named cultivars should always be propagated from cuttings to maintain their characteristics
The prickly foliage of some forms is an effective deterrent for people and animals and provides excellent protective nesting habitat for small birds
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Bird-attracting specimen shrub or groundcover
- Informal hedge, screen, or windbreak in upright forms
- Groundcover on slopes and banks in prostrate forms
- Container growing for courtyards and balconies
- Erosion control on clay slopes with its extensive root system
- Parent species of many widely-grown hybrid grevilleas including "Molonglo," "Poorinda Queen," and "New Blood"
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Grevillea Juniperina
What makes grevillea juniperina a good garden plant?
Grevillea juniperina is exceptionally adaptable to varied soil types including clay, is highly drought-tolerant and frost-hardy, and flowers prolifically from winter through to summer. Its spider-like flower clusters produce abundant nectar that attracts honeyeaters and other nectarivorous birds. It tolerates heavy pruning and is available in a wide range of forms from flat prostrate groundcovers to medium upright shrubs suited to hedging and screening.
Is grevillea juniperina safe to handle?
The leaves of some subspecies and forms are very sharply pointed and prickly, which can cause physical discomfort when handling. More importantly, like several related grevilleas including G. banksii, the foliage can cause contact dermatitis (allergic skin rash) in sensitive individuals. It is advisable to wear gloves and long sleeves when pruning or planting, and to wash hands thoroughly afterwards. Sensitivity varies greatly between individuals.
What is the endangered subspecies of grevillea juniperina?
Grevillea juniperina subsp. juniperina is listed as Vulnerable under the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. It is restricted to a small area of western Sydney including the Windsor, St Marys, and Penrith districts, and its habitat is threatened by ongoing housing development, road construction, altered fire regimes, weed invasion, and trampling. All other subspecies are not considered at risk in the wild.
Is grevillea juniperina a parent of other grevilleas?
Yes. It is one of the most important parent species in the development of hybrid grevilleas for horticulture. Well-known hybrids with G. juniperina as one parent include "Molonglo" (a spreading, apricot-yellow form), "Poorinda Queen" (apricot-orange, very large shrub), "New Blood" (deep red flowers), and several other cultivars widely grown in Australian and international gardens.
When does grevillea juniperina flower?
The main flowering period peaks from mid-winter through to early summer (roughly July to December in Australia), though the exact timing varies between the seven recognised subspecies and numerous cultivars. Some forms, particularly popular cultivars in warm temperate or subtropical climates, may produce some flowers at almost any time of year. The most abundant display typically occurs in late winter and spring.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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