About
A 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. eye-catching flowerheads are borne at the tips of the stems in summer, each with 40-60 tubular, curving, reddish pink or occasionally white flowers.
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, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Sub-tropical
Native toE Australia
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 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
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free