Grevillea ‘John Evans’ – Australian Gardening Guide

Getting to Know Grevillea ‘John Evans’

Grevilleas are commonly known as spider flowers or toothbrush plants. Grevilleas are the third-largest group of Australian native plants and come in a wide range of sizes and colours. There are over 350 species of grevillea, so there is one to suit every garden and gardener. They are famous for their spider-like flowers. 

Grevillea ‘John Evans’ is a cultivar that grows well in cool and temperate regions of Australia. They do well in dry climates. This beautiful native is a compact to medium-sized evergreen shrub, growing to between 70-140cm tall and wide. It has a dense foliage of fine needle-like, dark green leaves. 

They are heat and drought tolerant plants that can also withstand light frost when established. 

When Does Grevillea ‘John Evans’ Flower?

This Australian native generally flowers from winter through spring. The small pink to red cream flower blooms are a magnet to native small birds, bees, and other beneficial insects.

Growing Grevillea ‘John Evans’

Best Soil for Grevillea ‘John Evans’

Grevillea ‘John Evans’ isn’t fussy when it comes to soil. It adapts to and grows well in any well-drained soil. It will do best in slightly acid soil. If using a potting mix, look for a quick draining medium, ideally without a long list of additives or wetting agents. 

Where to Position Grevillea ‘John Evans’ in Your Garden

The best spot for growing these natives in your garden is an open, sunny position. Grevillea ‘John Evans’ is a sun-loving plant so ideally, plant in full sun. They will also tolerate a semi-shaded position in your garden. 

Grevillea ‘John Evans’ works equally well in the garden or container. It is also often used as a hedge, given how well it responds to pruning. 

How Care for Grevillea ‘John Evans’John Evans

Grevillea ‘John Evans’ is a hardy and low-maintenance plant. The native doesn’t need any additional fertiliser to thrive in your garden. They are also generally free from problems with pests and diseases. Native birds love these plants, and this helps keep insects and pests under control. 

They are drought tolerant plants and rarely require watering. It is a mistake to overwater them, as they don’t like their roots sitting in wet soil. If you have planted Grevillea ‘John Evans’ in a pot, make sure to let the soil dry out completely between watering again. 

If mulching around your grevillea, make sure to keep the mulch away from the stem as this may promote fungal disease. Don’t be put off though as mulching is a good idea to prevent weeds and retain water. 

You should prune these native plants at least once a year to ensure they keep their shape and encourage flowering. The best time to prune Grevillea ‘John Evans’ is after it has finished flowering in early spring. You might even get lucky, and your spring pruning could result in a repeat performance of flowers.