Telopea truncata (Tasmanian Waratah) is a flowering shrub or small tree that is native to southern Tasmania. Mature Tasmanian Waratah plants produce stunning red flowers during the Summer months and its nectar is very attractive to birds. Plants are also frost-resistant, require little maintenance and tolerate a wide range of soils.
Suitable for Dry and Temperate climates.
Telopea truncata is one of five species in the Telopea genus that also includes Telopea speciosissima (NSW Waratah), Telopea aspera (New England Waratah, Telopea mongaensis (Braidwood Waratah and Telopea oreades (Gippsland or Victorian Waratah).
A close relative to Proteas, all the Telopeas have similar qualities that include distinctive large flowers and a remarkable ability to regenerate quickly after a fire.
To view our full range flowers click here or to check out all of our native varieties click here.
Growth
Telopea truncata is perennial evergreen native that grows to a height of around 3 metres (10 feet) but has been seen to reach heights of up to 10 metres (33 feet). More commonly, they are suitable as a small tree or large shrub that can spread to around 2 metres (7 feet) wide.
Unlike the New South Wales Waratah which usually has a few stems topped with flowers, the stems of the Tasmanian Waratah branch freely and produce numerous smaller branches topped with many more flower heads. Plants enjoy nutrient-poor soils that are slightly acidic and don’t require much watering except during flowering periods.
In ideal conditions, flowering usually begins in 3-5 years when growing from seed.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
For additional information visit our Growers Notes page or the list of the best gardening websites or check out the article about how to use your waste at home as a natural fertiliser.
FAMILY:
Proteaceae
CLIMATE:
Dry, Temperate.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5 to 40°C / 23 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining soil.
LOCATION:
Full Sun or Part Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 3-10 metres (10 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 2 metre (7 feet)
pH:
5.0-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial Evergreen.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Birds and Bees.
MATURITY:
3-5 years.
GERMINATION RATES:
55-70%
GERMINATION TIME:
21-28 days at 18-25°C / 62-77°F.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 30
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
No
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3 years.
FACTS ABOUT TELOPEA TRUNCATA (Tasmanian Waratah)
The term Waratah comes from the indigenous tribe of Eora which is based in the Sydney area.
Waratah seeds are often eaten and destroyed by animals and rarely travel far from the parent plants.
The Tasmanian Waratah was first discovered around 1792 when Tasmania was then referred to as Van Diemen’s Land. French Botanist Jacques Labillardiere not only collected the first specimens but he also started a fierce 5 year naming battle by first naming it Embothrium truncatum in 1805. By the year 1810, the name changed two more times from Hylogyne australis and then finally to Telopea truncata, the botanical still used today.
For more information about the Tasmanian Waratah click here.
