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- Protea
Plant Profile: Protea
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Protea - "Lancelot" |
Family: Proteaceae Common Name(s): Sugarbushes Native to: Africa Flowering: Summer Watering: Drought tolerant once established; ensure they don't get wet feet. Planting Aspect: Full sun to part shade Preferred Climate:
Temperate, Subtropical, GrasslandDescriptionProtea are popular garden plants that are suitable for many parts of Australia where well draining soil with sandy or gritty texture and added organic material is present. Also soils with low Nitrogen and Phosphorus are beneficial to aiding strong plant growth. They make excellent garden or large container specimens due to their large, characteristic cone shaped flowerheads with a dense central mass of hairy flowers surrounded by brightly coloured bracts. They range from yellow to red, crimson, pink, orange, silver or white and flowering usually extends over several months. The flowers are very popular when picked for the vase or in arrangements due to their long lasting colour. The leathery green leaves often have hairy or undulating margins. |
CultivationProtea are frost tender to marginally frost hardy when young, but quite tolerant once established. They have a preference to do best in full sunny locations with good air movement. Protea require an acidic soil with a ph below 6 and must have adequate drainage. Provide a growing site that has sandy or gritty soil or work in some compost and gypsum to break up any residual clay. They also require a soil that is low in Nitrogen and Phosphorus and therefore apply only mulch such as bark, straw or leaves but not mushroom compost.Water at least once a week for the first season or two until the plants are established and then thereafter only as required based on the prevailing weather conditions. Fertilizer is not necessary for well established plants, however if it appears necessary, simply add some compost and a slow release fertilizer designed for natives. Containerised plants will require more frequent watering and fertilizing to keep up good growth. Pruning and dead heading the flowers should be performed to keep the plant tidy and in shape. |
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Revised: 18th Dec 2009 @ 4:14 PM
Keywords: protea, proteaceae, protea, plant, soil, plants, established, nursery, flowers, compost
Keywords: protea, proteaceae, protea, plant, soil, plants, established, nursery, flowers, compost