Sacha wrote:
On 13/3/09 05:15, in article
, "DaveP"
wrote:

It is Grevillea and very close to G. banksii, but the flower spike may
be too long for that species even though there are several quite
diverse forms. There have been quite a few banksii hybrids over the
years and it's a fairly safe bet that this is one of them.

Thanks, Dave and to others who answered helpfully. Interesting, Kay
thought it was a Banksia, given its actual name. Am I right in thinking
it wouldn't be hardy here? It looks too exotic, somehow. And in NZ -
while I remember - we saw a very low-growing Grevillea being used as
ground cover. The owner didn't know its name and it's not one we'd seen
before. It's a very pretty leaf - do you know which it is? This was in
the warmer North Island. http://i41.tinypic.com/bdqr6c.jpg

There are dozens of Grevilleas (many hybrids). Many of these are hardy in
the UK (particularly those based around G. rosmarinifolia). I have grown
"G.rosmarinifolia" (it's in quotes because although that's what I bought it
as, it may be a hybrid) for years, and it's quite hardy here in Sussex,
growing in good wealden clay! It's now approaching 4 metres in height, and
is in flower for most months of the year. As to its hardiness, it has
shrugged off -8°C without a blink - even the flower buds haven't been
touched.

You may be interested in http://www.anzplantsoc.org.uk

--
Jeff