The number of Grevillea varieties is immense and since the late 20th century, has been expanding rapidly. The genus has a great deal of horticultural potential as a garden shrub, amenity plant and commercial cut flower; and enthusiasts, principally in Australia, but also elsewhere, have become active in developing new cultivars.
One of the most prolific breeders in the 1950's and 60's was Leo Hodge (1904-1994) who lived and worked in an area north of Buchan, in Gippsland, Victoria
Leo was a self taught hybridist and naturalist, who introduced a wide range of new grevillea, and other native varieties, into cultivation; and inspired many breeders that followed.
Grevillea 'Crosbie Morrison'
Hybrid of G. lanigera X G. lavandulaceae
Selected by Leo Hodge who developed the “Poorinda” hybrids in Victoria. This is the only cultivar hew developed that is not called a “Poorinda Hybrid”, simply because he named it differently, to honour the Victorian naturalist, Crosbie Morrison.
Appearance: Greyish, hairy foliage, arched branches and 1 to 2 metres tall, with red and cream flowers over winter and spring; temperate climate; avoid high humidity.
Culture: Frost hardy, drought hardy once established, needs good drainage
Propagation: Cuttings strike easily.
Health: Rarely any significant pest or disease
Uses: Garden shrub, container plant.
Grevillea 'Poorinda Firebird'
Hybrid of G. speciosa x G. oleoides (NSW form)
Appearance: A large shrub to 3m tall with a spread of up to 4m bearing bright red flowers throughout most of the year.
Culture: Grow in full sun to part shade in free-draining soil. This cultivar tolerates light frost and benefits from a light prune after flowering to maintain shape.
Propagation: Cuttings.
Health: No pests or diseases of note.
Uses: Native garden, bird-attractant, screening plant, hedging plant.
Grevillea 'Poorinda Queen'
Hybrid of G. juniperina x G. victoriae (yellow flower form)
Appearance: A large shrub to 3m tall by 3m wide bearing apricot coloured flowers.
Culture: Grow in full sun to part shade in a well-drained soil. This cultivar is frost-hardy withstanding temperatures down to minus 8°C. It can tolerate periods of drought once established. It is a fast-growing plant.
Propagation: Cuttings.
Health: No pests or diseases of note.
Uses: Native garden, bird-attractant, screening plant, hedging plant.
Grevillea 'Poorinda Royal Mantle'
Hybrid of G. laurifolia x G. willisi
Appearance: An excellent spreading groundcover plant to 20cm tall and around 3-5m wide bearing dark red toothbrush flowers. New leaves are bronze, mature leaves are dark green. A mutated form of this plant which has shorter leaves with cream margins is known as G. 'Sunkissed Waters'.
Culture: Grow in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil. It is fast growing and may be pruned back to contain.
and grown as a standard.
Propagation: Cuttings. Sometimes grafted onto G. robusta
Health: No pests or diseases of note. They are not especially long-lived plants.
Uses: Groundcover, native garden, bird-attractant.
Other Poorinda Cultivars
In addition to those already described, many other Poorinda cultivars were developed and released between the early 1950’s and the late 1970’s. These were created by Leomin Hodge in Victoria using mostly species from that region. They include:
'Poorinda Adorning'
'Poorinda Annette'
'Poorinda Anticipation'
'Poorinda Beauty'
'Poorinda Belinda'
'Poorinda Ben'
'Poorinda Beulah'
'Poorinda Blondie'
'Poorinda Constance'
'Poorinda Diadem'
'Poorinda Elegance'
'Poorinda Emblem'
'Poorinda Empress'
'Poorinda Enchantment'
'Poorinda Ensign'
'Poorinda Gaye'
'Poorinda Gemini'
'Poorinda Golden Lyre'
'Poorinda Hula'
'Poorinda Illumina'
'Poorinda Jeanie'
'Poorinda Jennifer Joy'
'Poorinda Joyce'
'Poorinda Leane'
'Poorinda Miriam'
'Poorinda Peter'
'Poorinda Pink Coral'
'Poorinda Rachel'
'Poorinda Refrain'
'Poorinda Regina'
'Poorinda Rondeau'
'Poorinda Rosy Morn'
'Poorinda Royal Carpet'
'Poorinda Signet'
'Poorinda Silver Sheen'
'Poorinda Splendour'
'Poorinda Stephen'
'Poorinda Tranquillity'
'Poorinda Vivacity'
Learn More about Grevilleas -Ask about our Grevillea course or our Grevillea book