Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Telopea Waratah


©Copyright nansgarden.blogspot.com

Waratahs are spectacular plants use in Native garden across Australia. These plants are in the genus Telopea which is in the Protective family. They produce bright red flowers in spring, (although some plants selected or bred in cultivation produce white, pink or yellow flowers). It is a slender, erect shrub, to 3 metres tall and about 1.5 metres across. It has stiff, wedge-shaped and usually coarsely toothed, dark green, leathery leaves to 15cm long. But in cultivations they can grow to much larger size.

It is well known as a bird-attracting plant, providing large quantities of nectar for a variety of birds. Magnificent as cut flowers and last very well in water. It is grown in some areas as a commercial crop for cut flowers. The increasing exploitation has led tho the Waratah being declared a protected plant.

New South Wales on 24. October 1962 proclaimed the Waratah as it's official floral emblem.


No comments: