Silky oak (Grevillea robusta)

When it flowers

January, not flowering
February, not flowering
March, not flowering
April, not flowering
May, not flowering
June, not flowering
July, not flowering
August, not flowering
September, not flowering
October, flowering
November, flowering
December, flowering

Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens. Photo: Batsv, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The flora of Palm Beach, Queensland is mostly ornamental, though some remnants of the original flora remain.. Photo: John Robert McPherson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Tadiandamol is the highest peak in the Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka, India, standing at 1,748 meters (5,735 feet). It's a popular and scenic trekking destination, known for its breathtaking l…. Photo: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Tall, fast tree with fern-like leaves and golden-orange flowers in late spring.

Australia's largest grevillea, once widely planted as a street and shade tree. In late spring the crown is covered in golden toothbrush flowers that bring in lorikeets and honeyeaters. It self-seeds readily and has become a weed in places, so it suits large gardens away from bushland.

In the garden

Shade tree

Attracts: Birds and pollinating insects
Flowers: One-sided golden-orange toothbrush flowers, 8 to 15 cm long.
Leaves: Fern-like, deeply divided leaves, silky and silvery underneath.

Growing conditions

Climate: Subtropical and temperate
Light: Full sun
Soil: Sandy, loam and clay
Drainage: Needs good drainage
Frost: Moderate frost
Water: Very drought tolerant

Planting and care

Grown from: Seed

Planting

A big tree: plant at least 8 m from buildings and well away from bushland.

Pruning

Little pruning needed. Have a qualified arborist remove dead or weak limbs from older trees.

Care

Water young trees through dry spells. Established trees need no feeding.

Safety

Can irritate skin
Can drop branches

The leaves and flowers can cause contact dermatitis; wear gloves when handling them. Older trees can drop branches in storms.

Where it comes from

Family: Proteaceae
Order: Proteales
Native to: New South Wales and Queensland
Natural range: Subtropical rainforest and creek banks of south-east Queensland and north-east NSW.

Widely available.

We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.

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Silky oak Grevillea robusta