Grevillea ‘Red Hooks’ is a popular Australian native plant, valued for its vibrant flowers and hardy nature. This evergreen shrub offers a unique aesthetic, making it a suitable choice for various landscape designs and a low-maintenance yet striking plant for gardeners.
Understanding Grevillea ‘Red Hooks’
Grevillea ‘Red Hooks’ is an evergreen shrub recognized for its deep red, brush-shaped flowers that appear in clusters at the branch tips. These unique blooms, sometimes described as resembling a toothbrush or a fishing hook, are a main highlight and give the plant its name. While flowering can occur intermittently throughout the year, the heaviest display typically happens from late winter through spring. The plant features dense, finely divided, green foliage with deeply lobed, almost oak-like leaves, providing textural contrast in the garden.
This fast-growing shrub generally develops an upright and bushy habit, reaching a height of 2-3 meters (6-10 feet) and spreading 1.5-2 meters (5-7 feet) wide. Its vase-shaped structure and spreading branches contribute to its robust appearance.
Planting and Establishment
Successful planting of Grevillea ‘Red Hooks’ begins with proper site selection. This plant thrives in full sun, ideally receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, though it can tolerate partial shade. Well-drained soil is important for its health, with sandy, loamy, or gravelly types being suitable.
The best time for planting is in autumn or spring, avoiding periods of extreme heat or frost. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough to accommodate it. After placing the plant, backfill the hole with well-draining soil and water thoroughly. During the first few months of establishment, deep and regular watering is necessary to help the root system develop.
Ongoing Care
Once established, Grevillea ‘Red Hooks’ exhibits good drought tolerance, requiring less frequent watering. During extended dry periods, occasional deep watering can promote healthy new growth and continued flowering. Overwatering should be avoided, as it can lead to root rot; allow the top few centimeters of soil to dry out between waterings.
Grevilleas are light feeders and sensitive to phosphorus. If fertilization is needed, apply a low-phosphorus native plant fertilizer sparingly in spring. Avoid using general-purpose fertilizers or phosphorus-rich organic materials. Mulching around the base of the plant with organic materials like shredded bark helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the plant’s stem to prevent rot.
Pruning and Maintenance
Pruning Grevillea ‘Red Hooks’ helps maintain its shape, promote bushier growth, and encourage more abundant flowering. Light tip pruning is beneficial and can be performed after the main flowering period, typically in late spring or early summer. This practice helps to remove spent blooms and stimulate new growth.
While grevilleas respond well to pruning, heavy pruning should be approached with caution, especially on established plants, as they may lack stored reserves for significant regrowth. Avoiding severe pruning in late summer or fall is advisable, as it can encourage new growth vulnerable to frost damage. Regular, lighter pruning helps maintain a compact form and enhances the plant’s overall vigor and floral display.
Benefits and Garden Uses
Its vibrant red flowers are highly attractive to native birds, especially nectar-feeding species, and other pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, enriching garden biodiversity.
This fast-growing shrub can be used for various purposes. Its dense growth habit makes it an excellent option for creating informal hedges or screens, providing privacy and windbreaks. It also works well as a stand-alone specimen plant or as a backdrop in mixed shrub plantings.