Telopea Truncata

"Tasmanian Waratah"

Telopea truncata is an upright shrub to about 3 metres, but can occasionally be found in nature as a small tree up to 10 metres high. Like its better known relative, it has an underground lignotuber and may become multi-stemmed. It has deep green narrow oblanceolate leaves up to 10cm long which are occasionally lobed. Young branches and unopened flowerheads are often covered with brownish hairs. The blooms occur in a loose cluster of 10-20 individual flowers at the ends of the erect stems. It lacks the bracts of its showy relative. The flower colour is most commonly red, though a white form is seen occasionally.Has only recently been split off as a separate species from the NSW waratah.Flowering occurs in summer.In nature, the Tasmanian waratah grows on moist acidic soils . Though it requires good drainage, it also needs ample moisture to thrive, and soil with some clay content is said to be helpful. While lacking the density of flowers in the inflorescence that T.speciosissima exhibits, its much branched habit provides plenty of blooms which provide contrast to the attractive green foliage. Telopea truncata is an excellent candidate for gardens in cooler climates.

Hardiness Zones  US  8-9   Aus  2-4

Care and propagation notes included.