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Conservatory GreenhouseShrubs

Telopea speciosissima

waratah

A large, evergreen shrub, bushy at first but often becoming untidy with age, with narrow, oval leaves up to 25cm long. Rich red flower heads 10-15cm across, consisting of many upright, tubular flowers surrounded by bracts, appear in spring, and are followed by brown, woody, bean-like pods that split open but remain on the plant for months

Other common names
kiwi rose
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Green Brown
Summer Green
Autumn Green Brown
Winter Green Brown
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Proteaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Telopea are large, evergreen shrubs or small trees with leathery leaves and large, colourful flowers borne at the ends of the branches

Name status

Correct

Plant range
E Australia

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with additional sharp sand in full light. Water freely and give a low nitrogen, low phosphate fertiliser monthly when in growth; water sparingly in winter. Outdoors grow in a frost-free position in moist but well-drained, slightly acid, sandy soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Sow seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or insert semi-ripe or leaf-bud cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Sub-tropical
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally problem free

Diseases

Generally problem free

Get involved

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