Dear Australian National Botanic Gardens,

We recently went to Canberra and volunteered to choose a native Australian flower to become the schools floral emblem. After much research we decided to choose Grevillea/Ned Kelly as a suitable plant for our school for the following reasons:

•  It has very brightly coloured flowers.
•  It flowers for a long period of time.
•  The soil type and climate is well suited to our local environment.
•  It attracts native birds.
•  It's a very hardy variety and is easy to grow.
•  Ned Kelly has a pioneering spirit just like the girls at our school.

There are about two-hundred and fifty species of Grevillea including “Ned Kelly.” They range from ground covers to shrubs and even trees. They also come in a range of different colours. Most Grevillea are easy to grow. They grow best in well drained soils, in sunny positions. Soil type isn't crucial as long as it is slightly acidic.

The hybrid variety called Ned Kelly is a bright red long flowering variety. It is a very hardy shrub and it is easy to care for. Yours truly,

Milly and Angie – Year 5
Kilvington Girls' Grammar