Proteas

Most people think proteas are native Australian plants – much like the closely related waratah, banksia and grevillea. Despite the similarity to Australian natives, proteas are native to South Africa. They are closely related to waratahs, banksias, grevilleas and hundreds of other Australian native plants and all are classified in the large plant family Proteaceae.

The plants from both countries share common ancestors and date back to a time when Africa and Australia were part of an ancient landmass called Gondwana, which also included Antarctica, India and South America. As they are so closely related, all members of the protea family like similar growing conditions and grow well together.

There are many named varieties of proteas in colours of mainly pink and white tones. Plants range from compact shrubs around 1m high to large sprawling shrubs that can be 3m high and wide. Check out your local hardware or garden centre for a variety to suit your area. Here are a few to consider:

• ‘Pink Ice’ (Protea neriifolia x susannae) is the most popular protea variety that has stunning pink flowers in winter and spring, with flowers at other times of the year as well. It is a medium sized shrub with dark green foliage. Keep it well pruned by taking the flowers inside for a beautiful vase display.
• ‘King Protea’ (Protea cyanoides), is the most spectacular which has huge white or pink flowers up to 50cm across from spring to summer. Growing to a height of around 2m, they are stunning in the garden or pot.
• ‘Little Prince’ (Protea cyanoides), is the smallest more compact version of the King Protea, growing to a height of around 1m. This striking plant has stunning pink flowers with striking white accents from autumn to winter.
• ‘Niobe’ (Protea magnifica x laurifolia), has stunning white to light yellow flowers with black accents that outline each petal. This variety of protea grows to around 2.5 metres and prefers a full sun position.
• ‘Mayday’ (Protea magnifica x neriifolia), is the perfect feature for any garden with its striking pink flowers with soft white and black accents on the outline of each petal. Growing to around 2 metres, it flowers from autumn to winter.

Growing conditions

Aspect Protea needs a bright, sunny location with sun for all or most of the day with plenty of air circulating around the plant.
Soil They grow best with well-drained, sandy or loam acidic soil (pH of around 5.5). If the soil is not ideal, plant into raised garden beds or grow smaller varieties in a pot with a premium potting mix.
Climate Protea grows best in temperate climates. Plants can tolerate light frost but don’t like humidity.

General care

Watering Water regularly when establishing and to encourage good growth and flowering. Without enough moisture, flowers will turn brown or stop producing.

Feeding and mulching Good nutrition supports growth, flowering, and plant health. Proteas, like some Australian natives, are members of the Proteaceae, are phosphorous-sensitive and require a fertiliser low in phosphorous such as PowerFeed Controlled Release All Purpose including Natives or PowerFeed All Purpose including Natives depending on your preferred application (liquid or granular) of fertiliser.

Mulch plants around the tree canopy after removing weeds with a coarse wood chip mulch especially recycled bark, eucalyptus mulch and pine bark mulch, as it promotes microorganism activity in the soil, keeps the roots cool and retains soil moisture. Proteas don’t like root disturbance, so be careful when moving around them.

Pruning Picking the flowers helps keep them pruned otherwise prune after flowering to encourage a compact shrub with lots of new growth. Left unpruned, proteas can become leggy and unattractive shrubs. To regenerate large, woody proteas try cutting plants back over an 18-month period by removing about a third of the plant every six months. Don’t cut into old wood as plants can’t reshoot from old growth.

Watch out Proteas suffer few pest or disease problems if well grown in free-draining soil. Poor drainage can lead to root diseases such as phytophthora.