A researched TAFE plant identification study record for the registered Australian cultivar Grevillea 'Superb'. It is a deliberate hybrid in the Proteaceae rather than a naturally occurring species.

Identification

This cultivar forms a dense, spreading medium shrub. The leaves are deeply divided into narrow, somewhat prickly lobes; their paler, hairy undersides contrast with the green upper surface. Large apricot, coral-pink and yellow flower clusters are borne as raceme-like inflorescences and can appear through much of the year. It belongs to the group of garden hybrids that includes 'Robyn Gordon', so foliage and habit alone may not reliably separate closely related cultivars.

Origin and ecology

Merv Hodge raised 'Superb' from a deliberate cross between G. bipinnatifida and a white-flowered form of G. banksii. Because it is a cultivated hybrid, assigning it a wild distribution or conservation status would be misleading. Nectar-rich flowers are valuable to honeyeating birds and other flower visitors.

Cultivation

Grow in sun or light part shade with reliable drainage. Established plants tolerate some drought and moderate frost, but prolonged waterlogging is unsuitable. Light pruning after a flowering flush encourages a compact framework; harder pruning is generally tolerated. Propagate named plants vegetatively, normally from cuttings: seedlings may vary and must not be represented as the cultivar 'Superb'.

Safety and study note

Some people develop allergic contact dermatitis after handling foliage of cultivars in this hybrid group. Gloves are sensible when pruning, and the shrub should not be placed where people must repeatedly brush against it. Record the cultivar epithet in single quotation marks; there is no species epithet to enter for this hybrid record.