Rosemary grevillea facts for kids

Grevillea rosmarinifolia, also known as the rosemary grevillea, is a beautiful plant that belongs to the Proteaceae family. It's a popular choice for gardens because of its pretty flowers and tough nature.

Quick facts for kids Rosemary grevillea
Flowers
Scientific classification
Genus:	Grevillea
Species:	rosmarinifolia

What the Rosemary Grevillea Looks Like

The rosemary grevillea is usually a small to medium-sized shrub. It can grow from about 0.3 m (0.98 ft) (1 foot) to 2 m (6.6 ft) (6.5 feet) tall. In places with milder weather, it can grow even bigger.

Its leaves look a lot like rosemary leaves. They are long and narrow, a bit stiff, and have sharp points. The edges of the leaves curl under. They are usually between 0.8 and 3.8 centimeters (about 0.3 to 1.5 inches) long. They are also very thin, only 0.7 to 3 millimeters (about 0.03 to 0.12 inches) wide.

This plant produces lovely clusters of red or pink flowers. You can usually see these flowers from winter all the way through spring. The flowers are full of sweet nectar. This nectar attracts insects and birds that feed on it, like hummingbirds.

How Scientists Classify This Plant

The rosemary grevillea was first described by Allan Cunningham. He was an English botanist who explored New South Wales, Australia. He was the first to give this plant its scientific name.

Today, scientists recognize two main types, or subspecies, of Grevillea rosmarinifolia:

• Grevillea rosmarinifolia subsp. glabella (also called Rankins Springs grevillea)
• Grevillea rosmarinifolia subsp. rosmarinifolia

Where the Rosemary Grevillea Grows

This plant is originally from New South Wales and Victoria in Australia. It has also started growing naturally in South Australia, even though it wasn't originally from there.

The rosemary grevillea loves to grow in full sunlight. It can handle dry conditions very well, meaning it doesn't need a lot of water. It is also quite tough and can survive cold temperatures, even down to −10 °C (14 °F).

Growing Rosemary Grevillea in Gardens

People often grow Grevillea rosmarinifolia as an ornamental plant. This means it's grown just for its beauty in gardens. It's also used in xeriscaping, which is a way of landscaping that uses plants that don't need much water. This helps save water, especially in dry areas.

In the United Kingdom, this plant has won a special award. It received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. This award means it's an excellent plant for gardens.

Different Types of Rosemary Grevillea

There are many different types of rosemary grevillea that people have grown. These are called cultivars. Each cultivar has slightly different features, like flower color or size. Here are some of them:

Images for kids

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  The beautiful flowers of the rosemary grevillea.

See also

In Spanish: Grevillea rosmarinifolia para niños