Waratah
Telopea speciosissima
Family: Proteaceae
What it is like
Telopea speciosissima is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 3
Where it is found
Dry sclerophyll forests and sandstone soils.
Australia - New South Wales.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The flowers produce copious amounts of nectar, this can be sipped directly or used to make a sweet beverage.
Nectar: produced in such abundance by some flowers that it can be harvested fairly easily.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The stems are used in basket making.
Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
How it is grown
Prefers a rather poor stony soil. Requires a lime-free soil. Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil that is low in phosphates. Requires a lot of summer heat, abundant moisture in the growing season and a dry spell when dormant. Only succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of Britain, requiring greenhouse protection in most parts of the country. The plant is hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens, but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. Plants have been known to tolerate temperatures down to -5° in Britain, occasionally lower when in a very good position. This plant is the floral emblem of New South Wales.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist