Telopea speciosissima

New South Wales waratah
Brilliant emerald leafed, ruby flowering shrub from NSW, Australia. Large incurved flowers resemble the iconic chrysanthemum. A rare prize for collectors.
height 5–18ft
width 6–10ft
water
needs		 Moderate
water
info		 Water this plant regularly, when the top inch or so of soil feels dry. If you establish this pattern over several years, then you can cut back to watering every week or two in dry weather. Use drippers, emitters, or a slow stream of water so that it doesn’t run off; allow the water to trickle all the way down through the deepest layers of soil. In a pot slowly water the entire surface until water comes out of the bottom of your pot.
hardy
to		 24F
exposure Part Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing Bloodmeal, Fish Emulsion, No Phosphorus
origin SE Australia
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 14–17, 20–24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

OUTDOOR EXPOSURE GUIDE

Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.

Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams, but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.

Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

You can’t think of growing this plant as you would other Australian natives, that appreciate an infertile dry soil with few nutrients. Telopea appreciate consistent high nitrogen high micronutrient fertilizer. We have had good results with a monthly application of fish emulsion mixed with liquid kelp, or a mix of blood meal and kelp-meal scratched into the surface of the soil.
The question here is will they tolerate phosphorus? We haven’t worked up the nerve to try. If you do, please report back!
As this plant has a lignotuber (thick basal taproot) it likely can withstand and recover from hard pruning and fire.

Special Interest

This is the state flower of New South Wales, Australia.

Makes an excellent cut flower and heavy pruning of the flowers leads to a more abundant bloom the following season.