Waratah – Telopea Essies Gift 140mm

Where to buy a Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima in Australia?

Why we're glad you asked as we do our best to have a steady supply of Waratah Plant in stock. 

Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima Introduction

The Telopea speciosissima has become World famous for its magnificent crimson Waratah flower! Crowned as the floral emblem of New South Wales and regularly showcased in Australian Art and Architecture, the Telopea speciosissima or New South Wales Waratah is recognized for its large red, showy inflorescence! Flowering in Spring, the Waratah Flower certainly pops in the New South Wales bush landscape and has become an extremely popular shrub Australia wide. Did you know that even a festival is conducted for the Waratah? Since 1956 the annual Waratah Festival by the Sydney Committee recognising the importance and beauty of this magnificent Native plant.

Endemic to New South Wales, Telopea speciosissima is a large shrub that grows to around 3 or 4 metres tall. It has a woody bulging, close and below the ground called a lignobase, which is an adaption to withstand bushfires, where its ‘vital organs’ are protected below ground. A young Waratah starts with a compact bushy appearance, but becomes more unwieldy with age. The leaves of Waratah are leathery, dark green in color with pointed margin. Waratah flowers are borne at stem apices in a large cluster. Other cultivars of Waratah Tree have been developed in pink and white shades offering increased versatility to your garden design. The Waratah flowers are very popular in the cut flower trade as they are both beautiful and with longevity lasting around 2 weeks.

Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima Planting

The Waratah Tree is an easy to grow and care for plant, providing it receives the right amount of moisture. They can also be easily grown from a stem cutting. Telopea speciosissima is flexible as both an indoor or outdoor plant although it is far more common as an outdoor plant, owing to its amazing bloom which is rare when grown indoors. Choose an open and spacious spot for your outdoor Waratah Plant, as they spread 1.5 – 2m wide

Pollinators like honeyeaters are frequently observed foraging on the inflorescence of Waratah and these are a site to enjoy.

Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima Lighting and Positioning

Commonly found as understory shrubs in open forests, Telopea speciosissima prefers partial shade and will struggle to survive in direct sunlight or complete shade. For the Waratah Tree, strong, dappled light beneath neighbouring trees is ideal. Waratah Plants are resilient to fire with much of its critical structure underground, it can quickly reshoot and seemingly dominate the understory of the forest after fire. Their vibrant green leaves and red flowers can form a striking scene against a largely burnt black backdrop.

Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima Watering

Telopea speciosissima seeks constant hydration. They require the perfect amount of water, neither dry nor too wet. Reduce watering in the cooler months. Mulching the soil to a depth of at least 5-6 cm, near the Waratah stem, keeps the soil moist and surface roots cool which will help it thrive.

Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima Soil and Fertiliser

The Telopea speciosissima thrives well in loose, well-drained sandy to sandy loam soils. Waratah can grow more successfully in soil that has a slight acidity. The volcanic and post-forest fire soils are favourites of the Waratah. Locally indigenous to Sydney and the surrounds it will generally grow well will little additional maintenance. The Waratah Tree also grows brilliantly in the basalt soils of the Dandenong Ranges, East of Melbourne, although not locally indigenous outside of NSW. Apply a slow-release fertilizer with lower phosphate and nitrogen content like blood and bone meal, once your Waratah has finished flowering after a year. We recommend using our Plant food available here.

Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima Pruning and Maintenance

Cultivated Waratahs require heavy pruning to encourage new shoots. Adopt heavy pruning and remove the entire flowering stem if you want a compact Waratah with a bushy form. This encourages multiple growing shoots from lower areas and thus more flowering stems next season. The lignotuber of Telopea speciosissima contain numerous dormant buds which will be activated after heavy pruning.

Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima Propagation

Winged seeds are the natural mode of propagation for Telopea speciosissima and it is the best method to go with as fresh seed has a high viability and germinates 2-3 weeks after sowing. If you want your new plant to flower quickly, stem cuttings are ideal, as they typically set flowers within two years, while seedlings need about 5 years to reach maturity.

Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima Vulnerability to Pests and Diseases

Generally considered as problem free, if the soil has inadequate drainage. Waratah Plants are susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi, which causes root rot.

The poor survival of both seedlings and cuttings of Telopea speciosissima is generally due to root and crown diseases. A number of species of fungi have been reported to be associated with dead and dying Waratahs; these include species of Phytophthora, Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Cylindrocladium and Cylindrocarpon. Hence it is really a must to have a well-drained soil for your Telopea speciosissima. For more information on how to manage common plant pests head to our blog here.

Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima Toxicity

Telopea speciosissima has been found to be safe to children and pets.

Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima Popular Varieties

Telopea speciosissima is being cultivated into a variety of different forms. The cultivars differ in terms of bract size, shape, and blossom color.

Telopea speciosissima ‘Essie’s Gift’ maintains the classic red Waratah Flower but is a low growing cultivar growing to around 1m tall and 1.5m wide.

Telopea speciosissima ‘Wirrimbirra White,’ is prized for its brilliant white hued flowers.

Telopea speciosissima ‘Pink Passion’ has an elegant pink tone.

Telopea speciosissima ‘Champagne’ has very soft pink flowers.

If you wish for some magic in your Waratah blooms, try Telopea speciosissima ‘Dreaming’. This cultivar has styles that open as white and matures to pink.

Looking for a pale colored Waratah, ‘Shade of Pale’ is the one. The flowers are cream tinged with pink.

Waratah Shady Lady Yellow is a new hybrid with yellow flowers.

Waratah Plant - Telopea Speciosissima Design Tips

Although Waratah Plants have nice foliage, it is really their dropdead stunning flowers that steal the show! When in flower the Waratah Tree becomes a real showpiece. You therefore want to plant it in a fairly prominent position where you can best enjoy it, like along your driveway, near the entrance of your house or along a path. They can grow up to 3m tall so some pruning can be valuable to keep it slightly more compact and encourage more flowering near eye height. They can look fantastic against timber decks and having that raised position can place you amongst the flowers. Generally, more of a shade lover they can also look great planted under larger trees. Trees with black trunks like the Eucalytus siderexylon can work well and their greyish/green foliage can help to make the Waratah look extremely lush and really pop.

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