Australian Cultivar Registration Authority

Description:
Photographer:

Grevillea 'Long John'

File Number

740

ACRA Field Book Number

1146

Registration Date

25/01/2007

Application Received

20/11/2005

Family

Proteaceae

Cultivar Name

Grevillea 'Long John'

Origin

This cultivar was selected out of a seedling lot from Queensland, grown and propagated by Rodger Elliot. It may be a hybrid between Grevillea longistyla and G.johnsonii. It has been sold for many years, especially in Victoria as G.longistyla. Recently it has been sold in Queensland and to a lesser extent in New South Wales as Grevillea ‘Elegance’. This is causing confusion with Grevillea ‘Poorinda Elegance’ which is already registered with ACRA. It has been previously mentioned in the Grevillea Book Vol. 12 p247.

Characteristics

A mid dense, upright shrub ca. 2-3m x 2-3m. Leaves deeply divided ca. 25cm long with approximately 3-6 long linear lobes 2-3mm wide, dark green upper, appressed silver/white hairs below. Flowers in erect terminal and axillary simple inflorescence, 3-7cm long. Individual flowers are approximately 55 x 12mm. Flowering is from September through to April. Perianth sparsely covered with small glandular hair, ca. 14mm x 11mm. Pistil ca. 46mm long with a few appressed silky hairs for about the first 10mm, then glabrous; pollen presenter large (3-4mm) and flattened. Diagnosis: Midway in habit between the open habit of G.longistyla and the dense, branching habit of G.johnsonii. Leaves are also midway between these species. They are mostly divided as in G.johnsonii, but with the silvery under-surface exposed as in G.longistyla. The floral rachis is 3-7cm compared to less than 5cm for G.johnsonii, 8-15cm for G.longistyla.

Cultivation

This cultivar is far more adaptable than G.longistyla, and a showier and more attractive plant than G.johnsonii. It flowers freely from a young age, even while in a pot. It is unreliable on its own roots in new South Wales and Queensland where it should be grafted. However, it is extremely hardy on its own roots in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

Publication

Hodge, M. (2002), Popular Hybrids: Grevilleas. A review of new release and those in the waiting. Australian Plants 21(170): 241

Colour Coding

RHS Colour Chart 1995.Perianth:Pink 51aStyle:Red 46aLeaves:Dark green 147a

Propagation

Cuttings from semi-firm new growth

Applicant Name

Neil Marriott

Uses

As part of a mass planting or mixed in a shrubbery, or as a spectacular feature plant. Attracts nectar feeding birds.

Availability

Specialist native plant nurseries

ANBG Accession Numbers

ACC740, ACRA1146, CBG

NSL ID

-