4 saves
Telopea
We track 4 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 4 most-saved Telopea varieties
3 species of Telopea
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Telopea in Sow
Save the Telopea you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Telopea
Whats common across all Telopea varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them.
The Telopea year
- MulchOctober and November100% of varieties
Apply a coarse organic mulch to protect the root zone and retain moisture, keeping it clear of the stem.
- PruneMay and June100% of varieties
Cut back spent flowering stems hard by half to two-thirds to promote new growth.
- FertilizeApril and May100% of varieties
Apply a low-phosphorus native fertiliser after flowering has finished.
- Check for PestsJune–August100% of varieties
Inspect stems and foliage for scale insects, sooty mould, and borer entry holes.
Do
- Provide sharp, free-draining soil to prevent root rot.
- Prune hard immediately after flowering to encourage next year's buds.
- Use only low-phosphorus fertilisers formulated for native Proteaceae.
- Ensure excellent air circulation around the foliage.
- Prune hard immediately after flowering to maintain a dense, bushy habit.
Avoid
- Do not plant in heavy clay or poorly draining soils.
- Do not allow the root zone to dry out completely during dry spells.
- Do not prune deeply into old, dry wood that lacks dormant buds.
- Do not apply standard garden fertilisers high in phosphorus.
What goes wrong with Telopea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Borers | Sawdust-like frass accumulating around entry holes on stems, followed by branch dieback. | Locate the entry hole, clear it physically with a wire to destroy the larvae, or seal the tunnel opening. |
| Scale insects | Sucking insects clustered on stems, accompanied by sticky honeydew and black sooty mould on leaves. | Apply horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps to suffocate the pests when natural predators are inactive. |
| Possums | Browsing of tender young growth and flower buds. | Install physical tree guards or apply scent deterrents to protect young plants. |
| Scale insects and aphids | Sticky honeydew, sooty mould, distorted new shoots, and yellowing leaves. | Treat infestations with eco-oil or horticultural soap sprays. |
| Phytophthora root rot | Sudden wilting of foliage, rapid decline, and plant death due to decaying roots and crown. | Ensure exceptional soil drainage before planting and avoid overwatering or waterlogged conditions. |
| Fungal leaf spot | Circular brown to grey lesions developing on the leaves, leading to premature leaf drop. | Space plants to improve air circulation, remove infected fallen leaves, and apply appropriate fungicides if severe. |
| Phytophthora dieback | Root rot leading to sudden wilting, yellowing, and plant collapse. | Plant in immaculately drained soils, avoid over-watering, and maintain strict garden hygiene. |
Making more Telopea
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take firm, semi-hardwood cuttings from active growth in late summer.
- Apply a rooting hormone suitable for hardwood or native species.
- Insert cuttings into a free-draining propagation medium under mist.
- Pot up once a strong root system has established, usually within several months.
Seed
- Collect fresh seed from mature woody follicles in autumn.
- Sow seeds into a well-draining, sterile native seed-raising mix.
- Maintain consistent moisture and keep in a warm, lightly shaded position.
- Prick out seedlings into individual pots once the first true leaves develop.
Telopea questions
How many types of Telopea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Telopea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 4 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Telopea grow in?
Across its varieties, Telopea covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Telopea bloom?
Most Telopea varieties bloom in late winter, late spring, spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Telopea should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.