Story: Kings Park Grevilleas
Episode: 13
Presenter: Neville Passmore
Air Date: 8 November 2025

Kings Park’s 30-year grevillea program is creating vibrant, resilient varieties that attract birds and bees to every garden.

• Fifteen years ago, Kings Park Botanic Garden initiated a 30-year grevillea breeding program led by Director Mark Webb, an ambitious project aimed at innovation and biodiversity.
• Senior Plant Breeder Digby Growns focuses on developing new varieties with improved colour, form, size, and adaptability while maintaining strong appeal to pollinators.
• With over 380 native grevillea species in Australia, the program seeks to enhance garden performance, climate resilience, and year-round flowering.
• Here are the notable varieties:
  • City Lights – A standout favourite with a unique backstory in the breeding program.
  • Ruby Dream – A strong performer, though not a year-round bloomer.
  • Rica – One of the exciting new releases.
  • Webb’s Legacy – A groundcover variety named in honour of Mark Webb.
• Some varieties have become bestsellers, admired for their vibrant blooms and garden versatility.
• Beyond beauty, grevilleas are celebrated for attracting bees and birds, enriching gardens with life and movement.