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.

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

 

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.

 

A striking new hybrid with deep red bracts and a black tuff to the central flower mass. A slow growing but nice compact habit which produces alot of flowers once established. Likes open sunny spot in 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.

 

A very distinct variety with silvery green bracts topped with a purplish red beard. A rather slow growing but has a neat growth habit. Suited to most well drained acidic soils in a sunny open position. Evergreen.

Prune in late Spring to shape.