Grevillea lanigera aka Woolly Grevillea

Grevillea lanigera is a shrub that stays green all year. It belongs to the Proteaceae family. People call it woolly grevillea or woolly spider flower. It comes from southeastern Australia and grows in temperate zones. Its home range spans southeastern New South Wales and eastern Victoria. It is not native to Britain, Ireland, or Oregon. Its woolly name comes from hairs on its leaves and bracts. These hairs help you tell the plant from others.

The shrub has many branches and spreads out as it grows. Some plants form round mounds. Others grow as low mats. Garden plants reach 3–6 feet [0.9–1.8 metres] tall. They spread 6–10 feet [1.8–3 metres], wider than their height. Keep this broad shape in mind when choosing its space. It gives gardens a low or mounded form that stays green. The evidence shows a range of shapes, not one fixed form. Plan for its full width, not just its height.

The leaves crowd the branches and stay through the year. They are narrow, from linear to narrowly oblong in shape. These terms mean line-like to long with near-parallel sides. Each leaf is about 0.4–1.2 inches [1–3 centimetres] long. Fine hairs coat the green to grey-green leaves. The leaf edges roll back, a trait called revolute. These traits give the leaves their woolly look.

The flowers stand out against the narrow, hairy leaves. They curve like spiders and blend red with cream. They grow in groups that stand partway upright. Each group spans about 2.4 inches [6 centimetres]. The plant blooms in winter and spring. Its leaves, broad shape, and cool-season blooms add interest to gardens.

Grow this plant in sun or part shade. Oregon State University rates it hardy to USDA Zone 8. That source says it copes with long spells of wet weather. This does not mean it needs wet soil all the time. In nature, it also crosses with two other grevilleas. These are Grevillea alpina and Grevillea rosmarinifolia. The supplied evidence gives no facts on its fruit or bark. Nor does it assess this species for pests or disease. It does not assess whether it is safe to eat or toxic. These gaps do not prove that the plant is safe.