New South Wales is home to numerous native plants that are rare or threatened. Many are protected in national parks and other reserves. There is also an increasing number that are coming into cultivation. The long term survival of rare native plants requires a “two-pronged” approach. They need to be protected in the wild and also brought into cultivation.
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A good example of this approach to long term survival is the Wollemi Pine. Its habitat is protected in a national park and is now widely cultivated.
Even if the wild population was destroyed (perish the thought) the species would survive and be reintroduced into the wild from cultivated the cultivated population.
This time we will concentrate on some rare and threatened grevilleas from New South Wales.
There are over 30 NSW grevilleas that are classified as rare or threatened. Many are protected in reserves and a heartening number are finding there way into cultivation.
Grevillea beadleana is a rare local species that is becoming a feature in many gardens.
Grevillea beadleana is a beautiful, dense, spreading shrub with soft, divided, grey-green leaves. The toothbrush-shaped flower heads are dark red and carried for many months. The blooms are rich in nectar. Foliage and flowers are decorative features. Seedlings will often appear under mature plants.
This handsome grevillea is named after the late Professor N.C.W. Beadle. He was the foundation head of the Botany Department at UNE.
Grevillea mollis is another rare local species and is only found in Gibraltar Range National Park, east of Glen Innes.
Grevillea mollis is a spreading tall shrub with slightly pendulous branches and reaches a height of two metres. Leaves are oblong, soft and hairy on the underside. Flowers are carried in clusters of 4 to 8. They are scarlet and appear from winter to spring. Prune lightly to keep plants from becoming straggly.
Grevillea mollis is an attractive shrub. The soft foliage could be used in cut flower arrangements.
Grevillea scortechinii, Black Grevillea, is another local rare species. This spreading, prostrate shrub has branches that extend to at least one metre. Leaves are prickly, holly-like, up to six centimetres long, dark green with a leathery texture.
Unusual toothbrush-shaped flower heads are black (hence the common name) or very dark maroon. Flower heads are five centimetres long. The flower colour is unusual and sets this grevillea apart from other species.
Grevillea scortechinii is protected in two reserves and also grows along roadsides in the Backwater area near Guyra.
The Black Grevillea is not in general cultivation but has tremendous horticultural as a ground cover with unusual flowers.
Grevillea iaspicula, Wee Jasper Grevillea, is a very rare species from southern NSW. This medium shrub has light green leaves and carries large clusters of cream and pink flowers for many months. Honeyeaters flock to the blooms. Pruning will keep plants compact and flowering profusely.
Wee Jasper Grevillea is not protected in any reserves but is now widely cultivated.
Grevillea iaspicula has proved to be frost hardy; drought tolerant and once established has low water requirements.
These are some rare NSW grevilleas that will add interest to your garden and assist in their survival.