Waratahs are spectacular garden plants. These plants are in the genus Telopea which is in the family Proteaceae. They produce bright red flowers in spring (although some plants selected and/or bred in cultivation produce white, pink or yellow flowers) and attract a wide variety of birds.
Telopea speciosissima (the New South Wales Waratah ) has for a long time been one of Australia's most admired flowers. It is the state floral emblem of New South Wales and is grown in some areas as a commercial crop for cut flowers