Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha' facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha' |
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| Species | Grevillea lanigera |
| Cultivar | 'Mt Tamboritha' |
| Origin | Unknown |
Grevillea lanigera 'Mt Tamboritha' is a special type of plant, called a cultivar. It belongs to the Grevillea family. People love to plant it in gardens in Australia and other countries. They enjoy its pretty leaves and colorful flowers. This plant is the most popular kind of Grevillea lanigera that gardeners grow. You might also hear it called 'Mt Tamboritha form', 'Compacta', or 'Prostrate'.
What Does It Look Like?
This plant is a low, spreading shrub. It usually grows about 0.4 meters (about 1.3 feet) tall. It can spread out 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet) wide. Its leaves are thick and dark green. They have a shiny, silvery look because of tiny hairs.
The leaves are narrow and shaped like an oval. They are smaller than the leaves of most other Grevillea lanigera plants. These leaves grow in a spiral pattern along its bendy, thin stems. The flowers are a mix of pinkish-red and cream colors. They grow in small groups. You will see most of its flowers from late winter to spring. However, it can have some flowers all year long.
Where Did It Come From?
A plant expert named Bill Cane first introduced this plant. Even though it's called the "Mount Tamboritha form," it probably didn't come from Mount Tamboritha. Mount Tamboritha is a mountain in the Alpine National Park in Victoria, Australia.
A different type of Grevillea lanigera grows there. Experts think 'Mt Tamboritha' might be a coastal plant. It could have been found near the Yanakie Isthmus or Wilsons Promontory in Victoria. This plant has not been officially registered with the Australian Cultivar Registration Authority.
How to Grow This Plant
People plant 'Mt Tamboritha' all over Australia and in other countries. They like its beautiful leaves and compact shape. Its bright flowers also attract birds that like nectar. This plant is great for rock gardens or for growing in pots.
'Mt Tamboritha' likes soil that drains water well. It grows best in full sun, but it can also handle some shade. The best soil for it is sandy or medium loam. It should be a bit acidic and drain water easily. This plant can grow in many different climates. It can survive cold temperatures down to about -5°C (23°F). It also does well in warm, humid places like Brisbane. Once it's settled in, it can handle long dry periods.
If the plant is in a very wet or humid spot, the leaves underneath might turn brown. You can help prevent this by putting stones or pebbles under the plant.
To make sure new plants are exactly like the 'Mt Tamboritha' parent, you need to grow them from cuttings.
