Overview
Summary
Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' is a cultivar of the Grevillea genus, prized for its attractive qualities and garden benefits. This large, compact, upright shrub boasts year-round flowering and striking foliage, making it a popular choice for gardeners. Its dense racemes of nectar-rich flowers serve as a vital food source for honeyeaters, birds, and other wildlife.
Key Features
- Upright, bushy growth habit forming a large compact shrub
- Deeply divided, bronze-flushed, mid- to bright green leaves
- Dense racemes of nectar-laden blooms throughout most of the year
- Attracts honeyeaters, birds, and other wildlife
- Propagation through soft tip cuttings in late summer or from seed
Natural Habitat
Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' thrives in well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. It's adaptable to various climates, including coastal and inland areas. This cultivar is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for Australian gardens and landscapes. Its natural resilience allows it to flourish in diverse environments, from urban settings to more rural locations.
Growing Guide
Cultivating Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' is straightforward with the right conditions and care. Follow these guidelines to ensure your plant thrives in your garden.
Requirements
Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' thrives in full sun but tolerates light shade. It requires well-drained soil, preferably in an open, sunny position. For heavy clay soil, improve drainage by applying gypsum and raising the soil level. Young plants need regular watering, especially during their first summer, while established plants are relatively drought-hardy.
Planting Tips
Choose a location with full sun to light shade and good air circulation. Prepare the soil by adding gypsum if it's heavy clay. Avoid using fertilisers or potting mixes high in phosphorus, as Grevilleas are sensitive to it. Ensure the planting hole is twice the size of the root ball and backfill with native plant mix.
Maintenance
Prune Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' regularly to maintain shape and encourage bushiness. Remove dead or damaged branches as needed. Apply a slow-release, low-phosphorus fertiliser in spring. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping the mulch away from the stem. Monitor for pests like scale insects and treat promptly if detected.
Uses & Benefits
Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' offers numerous advantages for your garden. This versatile shrub enhances landscapes while providing ecological benefits.
Garden Design
Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' is a versatile shrub for various garden settings. It's ideal for borders, rock gardens, and outdoor living areas. Plant it in sunny positions or partial shade for flexibility in your garden design. Its fast growth quickly fills out spaces, making it perfect for new landscapes or garden renovations.
Wildlife Benefits
This shrub attracts a variety of wildlife to your garden. Its nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for honeyeaters and other birds. Butterflies and bees are also drawn to the vibrant blooms, enhancing your garden's biodiversity. By planting Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon', you're creating a natural habitat and food source for local fauna.
Special Features
Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' boasts exceptional drought tolerance once established. It thrives in well-drained soil and requires minimal watering, making it low-maintenance. The shrub's year-round flowering provides continuous colour and interest in your garden. Its unique foliage, with bronze-flushed, mid- to bright green leaves, adds textural contrast to your landscape design.
Problems & Solutions
While Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' is generally a low-maintenance plant, it can face certain challenges. Here's a guide to common issues and their solutions, along with care tips and seasonal notes to ensure your plant thrives.
Common Issues
Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. To prevent this, wear gloves when handling the plant. Root rot can occur in poorly drained soils; ensure proper drainage by amending heavy clay soils with gypsum. Watch for scale insects, which can be controlled with horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps.
Care Tips
Plant Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. Water regularly when young, but reduce frequency once established. Avoid high-phosphorus fertilisers; use slow-release, low-phosphorus options instead. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushiness. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Seasonal Notes
In spring, apply a slow-release fertiliser and prune if necessary. Summer requires regular watering for young plants. Autumn is ideal for planting new Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' shrubs. In winter, reduce watering frequency as the plant becomes dormant. Monitor for frost damage in colder regions, protecting young plants if necessary.
Additional Information
Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' is a popular cultivar with unique characteristics. Here's some additional information to enhance your knowledge and help you make informed decisions about this plant.
Varieties
Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' is a distinct cultivar with no known varieties. It's part of a larger group of Grevillea hybrids developed from Western Australian and Queensland species. These hybrids share similar traits, such as fast growth, drought tolerance, and year-round flowering. While 'Dorothy Gordon' stands alone, you'll find other Grevillea hybrids with comparable attributes in the same family.
Where to Buy
You can purchase Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon' from various sources:
- Local nurseries specialising in Australian native plants
- Online garden centres and plant suppliers
- Botanic gardens with native plant sales
- Specialist Grevillea growers
Check availability and pricing with multiple suppliers, as stock can vary seasonally. Some nurseries offer mail-order services for wider distribution.
Resources
For more information on Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon', consult these resources:
- Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) website
- State botanical gardens' plant databases
- Grevillea study group publications
- Gardening Australia website and TV programme
- Local horticultural societies and native plant groups
These sources provide detailed cultivation advice, care tips, and insights into the plant's characteristics and origins.