The Shady Lady Waratah comes in a range of colours, Red, Pink, Yellow and White. This is a vigorous hybrid between T. speciosissima and T.oreades and it is an excellent large shrub for a sunny position.
It grow well in a wide climate range from cool temperate through to sub tropical given the right conditions.
Flowering in spring with large waxy flowers to nearly across the Shady Lady Waratah Varieties make excellent feature plants, can be used as a flowering hedge and of course are excellent for cut flowers.
How to Grow the Shady Lady Waratah
A sunny position and a well drained soil are essential. In warmer climates a little afternoon shade and protection from hot winds will improve flowers.
- Dig over the soil well before planting, removing weeds.
- Add some compost and aged cow manure to poorer soils.
- Plant at the same height that your Waratah was in the pot.
- Water in well with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Mulch around the plant to maintain cool moist root run.
Ongoing Care
Fertilise every year with a slow release native plant fertiliser.
Renew the mulch and keep the areas beneath the shrub weed free.
Pruning
If you cut the flowers regularly, little extra pruning will be required.
- To maintain a smaller, bushier growth habit prune back immediately after flowering.
- Simply prune back the longer stems to around 50% or even 25% (1/2 to 1/4) as desired.
- Try to prune to just above a node on the stem
- Waratahs (Telopea species) can be hard pruned if needed.
Available for sale from the following nurseries
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au