Proteus, Greek God of Water, was said to be able to change his form at will. An apt God to name a genus after especially one that has so much variety in form and colour. Protea, King of flowers, are prized by gardeners and florists alike for the stunning, large, beautifully shaped and coloured flowers that are produced in abundance when grown in their favoured conditions. Light soil with very free drainage as these plants, just like Royalty, don't do wet feet. Don't hide them from the wind as free air movement is another of their likes. In the country of origin Protea represents change and hope.

NZ hybrid which is popular due to its red flower colour, frost hardiness and ability to virtually flower all year round. A large bush that requires equally large garden space. Flowers are small and should be picked just as they are opening from buds to avoid bee damage to floral mass. Produces masses of flowers but on shorter stems. Frost hardy. Evergreen

 

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Apple Green Protea. An erect vigorous growing shrub which produces terminal green flowers with a tuft of white on the tip. Prefers well drained sunny site. Flowers are suitable for picking. Requires to be pruned to size and shape in spring. Evergreen

 

A beautiful hybrid that flowers over a long period from Autumn to Spring. The lovely bright pink flower bracts have a maroon centre which are accompined with fresh green oblong leaves. Plant in a free draining soil and prune to shape and size after flowering has finished. Evergreen

Keep well watered when young.

 

aka Protea

Striking, bold, fantastic accent tree with near black foliage and stunning deep red crepe flowers, from Spring to Autumn, providing a stunning contrast. Remove lower limbs to show off the gorgeous smooth bark or leave bushy for a stunning privacy screen. Low maintenance, drought hardy once established.

Prune after flowering to enhance next years flowering.

 

A more compact specimen with red goblet shaped flower bract that are red with a satin appearance and adding beautiful colour in the garden from Winter to Spring. Slightly smaller growing can be trimmed after flowering to enhance next years flowering. Evergreen

 

aka Black bearded Protea, Protea Lepi. Green

A lovely upright variety that has hairy, creamy/white flowers with a black beard. Flowers tend to Peek out through dense foliage of a matt green. Lovely in a floral display as a picked flower. Plant in a sunny position and like acidic free draining soil. Evergreen.

To have success with your Protea good drainage is essential. They like a nice light slightly acidic soil. They don't like fertilizer high in phosphates. Generally feeding is not necessary but a slow release with a low phosphate (P) rating is the safest to use. Any pruning should be done after flowering.

 

aka Protea little peach

An upright slow growing shrub that produces attractive mid sizes peach coloured flowers from Winter to Spring. Suited to most soils but prefers a sandy and well drainone. Frost hardy. Evergreen.

 

aka Protea

A lower growing variety that can grow wider than in height. Large flowers produced in Winter have yellow green outer bracts with a prominent tuffed black central flower mass that is white. Like well drained soils in full sun. Evergreen.

 

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aka Protea

A cultivar of nerifolia this shrub grows into a nice rounded shrub with flowers of lime green bracts with a maroon beard. A long flowering season and a great picker. Stunning in a bouqet.

 

A hybrid variety with medium to large red flowers with a frosted beard. A tidy growth habit and very free flowering. Peak flowering is winter. Prefers full sun and free draining soil. Evergreen.