Diplolaena grandiflora is one of Western Australia’s most spectacular native flowering shrubs. Better known as the Wild Rose, Native Rose or Western Rose, it is prized for its large nodding red flowers that appear over many months and make it an outstanding feature plant in the garden or a large container.
Grafted forms are now readily available and are generally the best choice for growing outside the plant’s natural range, offering improved vigour and reliability in a wider range of climates.
Quick Facts
- Botanical Name: Diplolaena grandiflora
- Common Names: Wild Rose, Native Rose, Western Rose, Murchison Rose, Tamala Rose
- Plant Type: Evergreen Australian native shrub
- Height: 1–3 metres
- Spread: 1–2.5 metres
- Position: Full sun to light afternoon shade
- Soil: Sandy, well-drained soil
- Flowers: Large nodding orange-red to deep red flowers
- Flowering: Autumn through spring
- Water Needs: Low once established
- Frost: Light frost only
- Best Uses: Feature shrub, native gardens, large containers and wildlife gardens
Growing in well-drained soil with plenty of sunshine, Diplolaena grandiflora will eventually reach between 1 and 3 metres high with a similar spread, depending on growing conditions. The attractive dark green foliage has a soft, downy underside that provides year-round interest even when the plant is not in flower.
Its spectacular flowers appear from autumn through to spring, providing colour over an extended season while attracting nectar-feeding birds and beneficial pollinators.
Landscaping Uses
Although not a ground cover, Diplolaena grandiflora is an excellent feature shrub for native gardens, waterwise landscapes and mixed shrub borders. It is equally effective as a specimen plant, in large containers or planted near outdoor entertaining areas where the flowers can be appreciated up close.
Combine it with lower-growing Australian native ground covers to create layers of contrasting foliage and colour while helping suppress weeds and reduce garden maintenance.
How To Grow Diplolaena grandiflora
These are not a difficult plant to grow given a few basic requirements.
- All Diplolaena require a well drained position with sun to semi shade.
- They prefer a climate that does not experience humid conditions as this encourages fungal disease.
- A native plant fertilizer in early spring (low phosphorous) will improve growth.
- A light mulch around the base of the plant will help maintain a cool root run and also suppress weeds.
Grafted forms or Diplolaena are now becoming available, generally smaller growing and more compact in habit, these perform much more satisfactorily in the home garden.
Some good example can be found in gardens around Melbourne, so they can grow well outside of their natural range.
Pruning
Although heavy pruning is not recommended, tip pruning just after flowering will help maintain a bushy compact habit.
Diplolaena grandiflora vs Diplolaena angustifolia
While Diplolaena grandiflora is best known for its large, showy flowers and makes an outstanding specimen shrub, Diplolaena angustifolia, commonly known as the Yanchep Rose, is a naturally smaller species with narrower foliage and a more compact growth habit. It is often a better choice for smaller gardens, while D. grandiflora creates greater impact as a feature plant.
Related species include:
- Diplolaena (General Information)
- Diplolaena angustifolia – Commonly called the Yanchep Rose
- Diplolaena dampieri – Dampier’s Rose
- Diplolaena microcephala – The Lesser Diplolaena
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