Telopea speciosissima
waratah
T. speciosissima is 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
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| 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
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Proteaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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 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
Pests
Generally problem free
Diseases
Generally problem free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.