Braidwood Brilliant Waratah

Braidwood Brilliant Waratah (Telopea speciosissima x mongaensis 'Braidwood Brilliant') is a compact, cold-hardy hybrid with brilliant red flower heads on a shrub of about 2.5m. Bred from a classic waratah and a high-country species, it copes with frost better than most waratahs, making it a good choice for cooler gardens.

Why you'll love it

• Cold hardy. It handles frosts and cold winters that would damage the species.
• Compact habit. A smaller, tidier shrub fits smaller gardens and mixed borders.
• Brilliant red flowers. Domed red heads appear in spring and last well when cut.
• Bird attracting. Honeyeaters and lorikeets visit the nectar.
• Evergreen. Glossy, toothed leaves give year-round structure.

Where it works best

Cold gardens. A reliable waratah where frosts are heavy. Plant 1.5 to 2m apart.

Small native borders. Its compact shape suits a front garden among native grasses and correas.

Mounded beds. Raise the planting position so water drains away freely.

Growing Braidwood Brilliant in Australia

Position and climate. Morning sun with afternoon shade, or bright filtered light. It is ideal for cool temperate gardens and also does well in warm temperate ones. It is unsuited to humid subtropical and tropical areas.

Soil. Slightly acidic, deep, free-draining soil rich in humus. Avoid heavy clay and alkaline ground.

Water and feed. Water regularly while establishing and mulch thickly. Use only low-phosphorus native fertiliser.

Pruning. Cut flowers on long stems after blooming, which doubles as a light prune. Avoid cutting into old bare wood.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Braidwood Brilliant Waratah in 140mm pots in packs of 10. These young plants need a season or two to establish before flowering well. Plant without disturbing the roots, mulch and water in. Our growers do not hold every size all year, so a size can show as on backorder at times. An order for a backorder size is confirmed with you before anything ships.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Australian native plants
• Frost hardy plants
• Top bird-attracting native plants

Common questions

How cold-hardy is it?

It is one of the more frost-hardy waratahs, suited to cool gardens, though young plants appreciate shelter in their first winter.

How big does it grow?

It is compact, reaching about 2.5m.

Does it need special soil?

Yes. Free-draining, slightly acidic soil and low-phosphorus fertiliser.

When does it flower?

In spring, with brilliant red heads that last well when cut. Young plants may need a couple of seasons to settle first.

Does it suit a small garden?

Yes. Its compact habit of about 2.5m and tidy evergreen foliage suit front gardens and mixed borders, so long as the soil drains freely.

Should I mulch it?

Yes. A thick layer of leaf litter or coarse mulch keeps the roots cool and moist. Keep it clear of the stems.