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Telopea oreades

An half-hardy evergreen shrub or small tree, up to around 10m high in cultivation though often much smaller, with an upright, branching habit and matt dark green leaves to 30cm long. Showy flowerheads are borne at the tips of the stems in summer, each with 40-60 tubular, curving, reddish pink or occasionally white flowers

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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Red Pink White Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
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

In mild, frost free areas, may be grown outdoors in sandy, slightly acid soil in a sunny, sheltered position. In areas prone to frosts, grow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based compost with added sharp sand, in bright, filtered light. Water freely in growth and sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe, or root semi-ripe or leaf-bud cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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