silky oak

Also known as: silk oak; silky-bark oak

A fast-growing evergreen tree to 20m or more, but is usually grown as an annual for foliage effect making a bushy shrub to 3m. Olive-green, fern-like leaves to 30cm in length, paler beneath. Racemes of tubular yellow flowers are produced only by mature plants

Scientific classification

Species: silky oak (Grevillea robusta)
Genus: Grevillea
Family: Proteaceae

Skin irritant/allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Toxicity: Bedding · Conservatory Greenhouse · Trees
Plant type: Higher than 12 metres
Height: 4-8 metres
Spread: Evergreen
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

silky oak pictures

Distribution of silky oak

Distribution map

Eastern Australia

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Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

Skin irritant/allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Quick identification of silky oak

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silky oak care guide

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer

Pruning

Little pruning is needed. Remove diseased, damaged, crowded or crossing shoots and unwanted growth. Timing depends on the plant: generally late winter or early spring; plants prone to bleeding and deciduous magnolias need different timing, and deciduous azaleas and lilacs are pruned after flowering.

Propagation

Propagate by seed, semi-hardwood cuttings or graft

Growing

Grow outdoors in acid to neutral well-drained soil in a frost-free area or as part of a summer bedding scheme. Grow under glass in lime-free compost with added grit in full light. May need restrictive pruning under glass

More growing and care information →