Telopea speciosissima 'Ballerina' (Waratah)

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Plant description

Telopea 'Ballerina' is a dense medium to large shrub with deep green foliage with bright red blooms in spring. The flowers are spectacular, cone shaped with large bracts which cup the flower, and very bird attracting. A great feature shrub for general garden beds or rockeries and  large containers. Makes a great cut flower. Waratahs like a deep and well drained soil. Mound up the beds if needed to improve the drainage. Mulch will be beneficial, to keep down weed growth, improve the soil and to help conserve moisture at flowering time. Use a good native fertiliser or blood and bone in spring. Frost tolerant.

Further reading: Top ten native plants and Best natives for pots and small gardens (articles written by native plant expert and horticulturalist Angus Stewart).

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: red
Flowering season: spring

Plant size

Maximum height: 3 metres
Minimum height: 2.5 metres

Maximum width: 1.5 metres
Minimum width: 1 metres

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

This plant will tolerate full or partial sunlight.
Medium frost tolerance.
Plant is not salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Yes. Attracts: Birds.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: cool, temperate.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: moist, well-drained.

Clay: moist, well-drained.

Sand: moist, well-drained.

Pests

Mealy bug, borer

Miscellaneous information

Native to: Australia.

Planting season: not specified.

Types of fertiliser: Good native fertiliser, blood and bone.

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