Telopea speciosissima White

The Telopea speciosissima 'White', covered with large white and globular inflorescences in spring, is less common in cultivation but just as spectacular as the classic Waratah with dark pink flowers. It is a rather well-adapted bush to our mild and moist coastal regions. Close to proteas, intensely exotic, it shares with them a marked preference for very well-drained, sandy soils devoid of limestone. Its tough foliage, a beautiful dark green, is decorative all year round, even when not in bloom.

The Telopea speciosissima, the floral emblem of New South Wales in Australia, belongs to the fascinating family of Proteaceae. It is native to the outskirts of Sydney where it is called Waratah. The southeast of Australia, much wetter than the west, has a climate similar to that of our mild oceanic regions, with slightly lower annual rainfall. It can be found growing in the dappled shade of Eucalyptus trees, on loamy and sandy soils, in lowland areas as well as up to 1000 m (3281ft) altitude. The Telopea is cultivated for cut flowers, but also in gardens for its ornamental qualities.

The 'White' selection differs only in the white coloration of its inflorescences. This woody and branched plant grows from a stump called a lignotuber, capable of producing shoots after fire or cold. Its habit is bushy, carried by upright branches. The in-ground bush reaches 3 m (10ft) in height and 2 m (7ft) in width under European climates in favorable conditions. At the age of 10, it will measure approximately 2 m (7ft) in height by 1.20 m. In a pot, its dimensions will be more modest. The leaves, alternate, erect, simple and tough, wedge-shaped, measuring 10 to 25 cm in length, are arranged spirally around the stem. They are dark green in color and regularly toothed along the edges. The Telopea produces its flower buds during winter, but its flowering occurs in spring, in May-June, at the ends of the branches. These are sumptuous flower heads in domes, 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) wide, composed of a dense core of up to 250 incurved tubular flowers, pure white, surrounded by bright bracts of the same color. The flowers are highly valued in floristry, due to their excellent vase life. On the plant, they can last almost 4 weeks. They contain abundant nectar and are pollinated by insects and birds. The large flat seeds will only form in the presence of at least two distinct individuals. After spring flowering, new shoots often emerge within the faded inflorescences. The Telopea is a very long-lived plant that can live for many years in the garden if it is happy.

The Telopea 'White' is a plant with a very exotic appearance that deserves to be grown. It will thrive in coastal gardens spared from severe frost, in very light, well-drained soil without limestone, and poor in nitrates and phosphorus. It prefers the climates of Brittany or Aquitaine to the Mediterranean, which is too dry in summer. This protea will be the pride of its happy owner, planted in isolation, on a large slope or in the background of flower beds, but always in a sheltered and sunny position. In a garden inspired by exoticism, it can be associated with cordylines, proteas, Isopogon or Leucadendron, with Canary Island viper's bugloss, modest palm trees, or Leptospermum. This bush also grows very well in a container or large pot, to adorn the terrace or balcony of an experienced amateur.