About
A half-hardy evergreen shrub to around 2.5m high, with an upright habit and lance-shaped, dark green leaves to 20cm long. eye-catching flowerheads are borne at the tips of the stems in spring, each with many tubular, curving red flowers surrounded by a ring of red bracts.
About the genus
Telopea are large, evergreen shrubs or small trees with leathery leaves and large, colourful flowers borne at the ends of the branches
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationIn 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
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe or leaf-bud cuttings with bottom heat in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free