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​Proteas

More than just another blossom, they're blooms with attitude !

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Blanche Ito

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Groundfire

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Lava Glow

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Golden Glow

Meeting the Family 

With striking goblet-shaped flowers, proteas are an amazing combination of fluffy centres and brightly coloured bracts, which look almost too fabulous to be real.

It’s often assumed that proteas and their relatives are Australian natives, but they in fact hail from South Africa, commonly known as Sugarbushes. However, they are closely related to some of our showiest plants, such as banksias, grevilleas and waratahs.

Proteas put on a gorgeous display in gardens, mainly through the late winter and spring months. They are tough and hardy evergreen plants, will thrive in exposed positions with poor soils, and are also both heat and cold tolerant (from -6° to 40°).

In terms of their preferred climates, they’ll grow in most regions except for the more humid zones. 

However, there are two things they won’t negotiate – one is full sun and the other is perfectly free-draining soil. Get those right and you can invite the protea gang to your garden party!


H​OW TO GROW PROTEAS

Position:

More sun means more flowers, so give them an open sunny spot with plenty of air circulation. Raised beds and sunny banks are ideal, while potted plants will enjoy a sun-drenched position facing north.

Soil:

Free-draining soil is a must for members of the protea family. Sandy, gravelly or open loam is ideal, and raised beds or mounds will also increase their chances of survival. 

Fertiliser:

Proteas and their relatives have a root system that absorbs nutrients quickly, requiring only a small amount of controlled release fertiliser. 

Water:

Once established, proteas have very low water requirements. After the first year, water about once a week, especially during dry periods or when they’re in bud and flower. Young or potted plants may dry out faster, so water a bit more often.

Pruning:

Picking the flowers is the best way to keep the plants tidy and compact. Remove spent flower heads with a good length of stem, leaving new growth behind. Tip-pruning young plants in spring and summer will also encourage bushy growth.

Tip: Prune only the flowered stems of proteas – un-flowered stems are next season’s blooms.

Mulch:

Proteas dislike root disturbance, so don’t dig around them. Apply a leaf or bark mulch around the drip line (away from the trunk) and pull out any weeds by hand.

DESIGN IDEAS FOR PROTEAS

Incorporate a selection of the protea family in your garden’s design as .....


Hedges and screens

Select larger-growing varieties of proteas (that will reach above 2m) to create low-maintenance hedges. They’ll rival traditional hedge choices and add great life to your garden – and your neighbours will thank you for the injection of colour.


Patios and verandah

Fabulous choices for containers - different proteas flower in different seasons, so plant a variety to extend the floral display over the year.

 

Border plants 

Marvellous potential as border plants, or for massing in raised beds or on embankments. 


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