About
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.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesSub-tropical, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Patio and container plants
Native toE Australia
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in peat-free, 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
PruningPruning group 8
PropagationSow seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe or insert semi-ripe or leaf-bud cuttings with bottom heat in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally problem free
Disease resistanceGenerally problem free