Detail
categories-4
Templetonia retusa
Cocky's Tongue
Notes

Uses: A highly ornamental but hardy foliage plant. Plant singly for contrast as a background plant in wider verges, nature strips and streetscapes or grouped as an informal hedge or barrier. Suitable for parks, reserves, wider roadside plantings.
Prune to promote bushier growth or shape to form a hedge. Requires well-drained soils.
Attracts nectar eating birds and native butterflies. Is a food source for native caterpillars.

This plant is indigenous to the following botanical regions of South Australia.

   
:NU: Nullarbor   
:GT: Gairdner-Torrens   
:FR: Flinders Rangers     
:EP: Eyre Peninsula
:NL: Northern Lofty
:YP: Yorke Peninsula
:KI: Kangaroo Island

For detail on these regions refer to the user guide.

  • Height 1-2m
  • Spread 2-3m
  • Position
    • position-fullsun Full Sun
    • position-partshade Part Shade
  • Family Fabaceae
  • Botanical Name Templetonia retusa
  • Common Name Cocky's Tongue
  • Origin SA, WA
  • Habit Upright, Dense, Vase shaped
  • Landscape Coast, Coastal footslopes, 2nd line coast, Plains, Footslopes, Hills
  • Soil Texture Clay, Loam, Sand
  • pH Acidic, Alkaline, Neutral
  • Tolerates Drought, Lime, Moderate frost
  • Supplementary Watering Minimal
  • Flower Colour Red
  • Flowering Time Spring, Winter
  • Flower Type Pea
  • Purpose Wind protection, Screen, Hedge, Habitat
  • Form Medium Shrub (Usually between 1.2m & 3.6m)
  • Indigenous to the Adelaide Region