#templetonia

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Templetonia retusa

We have quite a few shrubs at the Ruth Bancroft Garden that come from Western Australia, but mostly these are in the Myrtle Family (Myrtaceae) or in the Protea Family (Proteaceae). Templetonia retusa, however, is in the Pea Family (Fabaceae), and it is not well known in California gardens. Perhaps this will change, since it does so well here, bursting into spectacular bloom in the middle of the winter.

-Brian

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Templetonia retusa

This shrub from Western Australia belongs to the Pea Family (Fabaceae), and it absolutely erupts in red-orange flowers when its flowering season comes along in the winter.

-Brian

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Templetonia retusa

Templetonia retusa is a beautiful Australian member of the Fabaceae, or Pea Family. It occurs near the coast in Western Australia and South Australia, and in winter it produces an amazing number of showy flowers. The photos above are from 2 different plants - the upper one with redder flowers, and the lower one with coral-orange flowers.

-Brian

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Templetonia retusa

This extraordinary shrub in the Pea Family (Fabaceae) makes such a wonderful flower display in winter that I can’t imagine why it isn’t better known. Its flowers come in various shades of red and red-orange, and the plant pictured here is more on the orange side. It comes from South Australia and Western Australia, and can take cold down to the low 20′s F (-6° C).

-Brian

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Templetonia retusa

This is another outstanding shrub from Western Australia, widely distributed in coastal areas in the southwest part of the continent. Up until now it has not called much attention to itself, but it has suddenly burst into flower and wowed everybody. Not only is it a showy bloomer, but it also reportedly is cold-tolerant enough to endure winter temperatures down to the low 20′s F (-6 C), which could be advantageous in winters colder than this one. It is a member of the Pea Family (Fabaceae).

-Brian

[ruthbancroftgarden]

Templetonia retusa

I have been taking lots of photos of Australian shrubs, and this is because we have been planting out lots of them over the last few years, and they are just reaching an age when they produce flowers. This one is Templetonia retusa, which is in the Pea Family, and it is native to the states of Western Australia and South Australia. Great flowers!

-Brian

[drhoz]

#1739 - Templetonia retusa - Cocky’s Tongue

I posted this one 6 years ago - did I write it up as a proper numbered entry? Did I hell.

AKA Coral Bush. Named after John Templeton, an 18th century botanist, and  the Latin retusus, dull or blunt, referring to the blunt, notched tips of the leaves. I don’t know any of the indigenous names for the plant, although it almost certainly had one. 

Another one in the Pea family, but with a much wider range than some of the others I’ve been covering - this one is actually found in two states! Specificly, from Geraldton in WA and around the coast south to Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Although it’s also found inland in the Flinders Ranges. 

Grows best in woodland and heathland over limestone, so quite common along the coast in Perth. The shrubs can be up to 2m tall, and flower from April to November.