Grevillea robusta - Silk Oak

Grevillea robusta – Silk Oak is a fast-growing, evergreen Australian native tree admired for its elegant form, fern-like foliage, and showy orange-red flowers. Reaching up to 30 metres in height with a spread of 10–15 metres, this large tree delivers bold scale and striking seasonal display in parks, large gardens, and open landscapes.

The foliage of Grevillea robusta – Silk Oak is one of its standout features — pinnately divided, fern-like leaves with a soft silver underside that creates a lush, textured appearance. From late spring to early summer, it produces large clusters of vibrant orange-red flowers, which attract native birds and pollinators.

It thrives in full sun to partial shade, performs well in a wide range of soils including clay and sand, and is moderately drought-tolerant once established. Its upright, symmetrical form and conical crown make it suitable as a shade tree, ornamental feature, or habitat tree in larger settings.

Grevillea robusta – Silk Oak is a strong performer where space allows, offering year-round structure, seasonal colour, and valuable habitat for wildlife — all with minimal maintenance once established.

Key Details

• Botanical Name: Grevillea robusta

• Common Names: Silk Oak, Australian Silver Oak

• Mature Height: Up to 30 metres

• Mature Width: Typically 10–15 metres

• Foliage: Fern-like, pinnate leaves with silver underside

• Flowers: Orange-red clusters, spring to early summer

• Form: Tall, upright with conical crown

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade

• Soil: Tolerates a variety of soils, including clay and sand

• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established

• Maintenance: Low to moderate

• Water Needs: Regular during establishment; low thereafter

• Uses: Shade tree, feature planting, habitat planting, large landscapes

• Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen