Grevillea petrophiloides 'Big Bird'

Most visits to our favorite retail nurseries usually means seeing grevilleas that we have not seen before. This time, Big Bird presented itself in full bloom. The plant is quite odd to my California eyes; shrubby with a light texture, and central wands that branch for each flower cluster shooting beyond the foliage. I do no know the provenance of this particular plant we purchased, but San Marcos Growers states its release from the University of California Santa Cruz Koala Blooms Australian Native Plant Program.

facts

Botanical Name: Grevillea petrophiloides 'Big Bird'
 Common Name: Big Bird grevillea, or Pink Poker
 Origin: Western Australia
 Sunset Zones: Unknown, but hardy to 25° - 30° F
 Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
 Hydrozone: Low
 Optimal Height and Spread: 4' x 6' (with bloom stocks to 8')
 Exposure: Full sun
 Form: Rounded to spiky when in bloom
 Primary Feature: Fine texture, violet-pink bottlebrush blooms fall through spring