Also known as Waratah · 20 saves
Telopea
Telopea, the genus most gardeners know as waratah. 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
- MulchApril and October100% of varieties
Apply a coarse, organic mulch to suppress weeds, keeping it clear of the main stem to prevent rot.
- PruneMay–July100% of varieties
Prune hard back into active green growth immediately after the spring flowering concludes to stimulate new stems.
- FertilizeMarch and April100% of varieties
Apply a low-phosphorus native plant fertilizer formulated for Proteaceae sparingly if needed.
- Check for PestsJune–August100% of varieties
Inspect stems and leaf undersides for scale insects, aphids, and spider mites during warm weather.
Do
- Prune the plant hard annually immediately after flowering to encourage multi-stemmed growth.
- Use only low-phosphorus, slow-release fertilizers formulated specifically for native Proteaceae.
- Maintain a clean ring of fine tilth around the base to eliminate weed and turf competition.
- Plant in highly porous, sandy, or loamy soils to ensure rapid drainage.
- Prune annually immediately after the spring bloom to maintain a dense, bushy habit.
Avoid
- Do not apply standard garden fertilizers, as high phosphorus levels are highly toxic to the roots.
- Do not plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils or low-lying areas prone to waterlogging.
- Do not prune deep into old, leafless brown wood where there are no active buds.
- Do not plant in heavy clay or waterlogged soils.
What goes wrong with Telopea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Distorted new foliage and sticky honeydew on stems. | Spray with insecticidal soap or apply a strong stream of water to dislodge them. |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaf undersides and stippled, dusty-looking foliage. | Increase local humidity and apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. |
| Scale insects | Small, waxy bumps on stems and leaves, accompanied by yellowing foliage. | Scrape off light infestations manually or apply horticultural oil during the crawler stage. |
| Deer and rabbits | Chewed tender new shoots and damaged young stems. | Protect young plants with physical wire fencing or tree guards. |
| Powdery mildew | White, powdery fungal patches on leaf surfaces. | Improve air circulation around the plant and avoid overhead watering. |
| Phytophthora root rot | Sudden wilting, yellowing leaves, and root decay, especially in wet soil. | Ensure immaculate soil drainage and avoid overwatering; infected plants must be removed. |
| Root rot | Sudden wilting, yellowing leaves, and dieback of branches, with black, mushy roots. | Ensure perfect soil drainage, avoid overwatering, and plant in raised beds if necessary. |
Making more Telopea
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take 4- to 6-inch cuttings of firm, semi-hardwood growth in late summer.
- Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut base in a rooting hormone gel.
- Insert the cuttings into a well-draining medium of perlite and peat moss.
- Maintain high humidity and bottom heat until roots establish, then pot up individually.
Fresh Seed
- Sow fresh seed in a well-drained, sterile seed-raising mix in spring.
- Cover lightly with coarse sand or grit and keep consistently moist.
- Place in a warm, brightly lit position out of direct sunlight.
- Pot up individual seedlings once they develop their first set of true leaves.
Telopea questions
How many types of Telopea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Telopea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 20 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 spring, summer. 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.