{"product_id":"cocky-s-tongue-templetonia-retusa","title":"Cocky's Tongue - Templetonia retusa","description":"\u003cp\u003eCocky's Tongue (\u003cem\u003eTempletonia retusa\u003c\/em\u003e) is a compact native shrub, 1m to 2m tall and wide, with rounded grey-green leaves and red pea flowers through winter and spring. The flowers arrive when little else is blooming, so birds and gardeners both notice them. It comes from the southern coast of Australia, from Perth to Melbourne, and it loves a sunny, free-draining spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dozens of red pea flowers open in winter and spring, when most gardens are looking flat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFood for birds in winter.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers feed birds through the cooler months, making it a useful plant in a wildlife garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoft grey-green foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rounded leaves sit well in native and cottage gardens and set off the red flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal and frost tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows wild along the southern coast and tolerates frost, so exposed sites are no problem.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact and easy.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 1m to 2m it suits smaller gardens, and it asks for little once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative and cottage gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in groups of three at 1.5m apart so the shrubs touch and make a single mass of grey-green foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal sites.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is native to the southern coast, so it belongs in beachside plantings and exposed borders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter colour beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it among other winter bloomers to carry the colour show through the coldest months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Cocky's Tongue in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the best flowering. It is at home in the dry Mediterranean climates of the southern states, and it tolerates frost. It will also cope with humidity if it has an airy, sunny spot and free-draining soil, so subtropical gardeners should focus on drainage and air movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Light, sandy, free-draining soil. On heavy clay, plant on a raised mound with coarse material mixed through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, around 12 weeks. After that it handles short dry spells, though a deep drink in prolonged dry weather keeps it flowering well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Little is needed. A light trim after flowering keeps the shrub compact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Cocky's Tongue as tube stock and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly and is the economical way to plant a group. The 200mm pots are larger and give a planting more presence in its first year. Plants travel upright and settle within a few weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eBrowse Australian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-salt-tolerant-plants\"\u003eCoastal and salt tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-native-shrubs\"\u003eMore Australian native shrubs\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/top-bird-attracting-native-plants-for-australian-gardens\"\u003eTop bird-attracting native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen does it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough winter and spring, with red pea flowers that appear in dozens. It is a useful plant for cold-weather colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in humid climates?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can, but it prefers the dry climates of the southern states. In humid gardens give it free-draining soil, full sun and good air movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetween 1m and 2m tall and wide. It stays compact, and a light trim after flowering keeps it in shape.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789642334527,"sku":"TEM-RET-tube","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67789642400063,"sku":"TEM-RET-200MM-P6","price":250.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/cocky-s-tongue-templetonia-retusa.jpg?v=1792192664","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/cocky-s-tongue-templetonia-retusa","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}