I have no experience, but I do have a question about them..........since I'm zone 5a, how would these plants tolerate my summers outside ...Read Moreand then in the greenhouse if planted in a large pot? They would be in a pot all the time, not in the ground in the summer, then dug and potted for winter. I saw where they do not like having their roots disturbed, but I wouldn't have considered "in-ground" for summer even if that was not a consideration.
It is a lovely flower, but grows into quite a huge bush and therefore requires a lot of space, and also it hates transplantation or chang...Read Moree of location, so any shifting of this plant should be done very very carefully without touching its roots, and the root-balls should remain intact. I have tried to get these plants from South Africa (Cape Town), but unfortunately none of them survived the shipment in which their rootes had got disturbed.
I'm growing it and its not nearly as dry tolerant as I expected. After a year it still needs summer watering.
2017:I've also since...Read More read that they take up to 5 years after planting to bloom. 2 more to go!
King Protea - the national flower of South Africa - is a woody shrub with thick stems and large dark green, glossy leaves, and has the la...Read Morergest flower head in the genus. This unusual flower has a long vase life in flower arrangements, and makes for an excellent dried flower. Protea cynaroides adapt to survive wildfires by their thick, underground stems, which contain many dormant buds, and these produce new growth after the fire. The genus name honours the Greek sea god Proteus (son of Poseidon) who was known for being able to change his appearance at will.
San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) | October 2007 | neutral
I have not grown this plant.
The king protea is the national flower of South Africa and is commercially grown in Australia...Read More and Hawaii. Bracts vary in color. Naturally occuring hybrids may have bracts that are silvery pink, deep clear pink or sometimes a deep crimson. When cut, the blooms last for weeks. When visiting Maui, I bought four buds from 2 nice young men on the side of the road while traveling to Hana for 50 cents each. They were not fully open when I had to leave after an 8 day visit. Too bad I could not bring them with me ... they cost a fortune here.
San Leandro, CA (Zone 9b) | October 2006 | neutral
Protea cynaroides have flower heads that have the flowers in the center with colorful bracts surrounding them. The flowerheads vary in s...Read Moreize from 5 inches to 12 inches. The colorful outside bracts vary in color from creamy white to a deep pink, though the paler pinks with a silver sheen are the most sought after. This is a woody shrub which grows to about 6 feet that has thick stems and large shiny green leaves.
The flowerheads are prized as a cut flower and add lots of drama to a bouquet.
I have no experience, but I do have a question about them..........since I'm zone 5a, how would these plants tolerate my summers outside ...Read More
It is a lovely flower, but grows into quite a huge bush and therefore requires a lot of space, and also it hates transplantation or chang...Read More
Needs regular watering for the first 2 years (particularly the summers) for establishment.
When I lived in Northern California I used to grow these at my house in Oroville.. Very pretty..
I now live in NEA..Northe...Read More
I'm growing it and its not nearly as dry tolerant as I expected. After a year it still needs summer watering.
2017:I've also since...Read More
King Protea - the national flower of South Africa - is a woody shrub with thick stems and large dark green, glossy leaves, and has the la...Read More
I have not grown this plant.
The king protea is the national flower of South Africa and is commercially grown in Australia...Read More
Protea cynaroides have flower heads that have the flowers in the center with colorful bracts surrounding them. The flowerheads vary in s...Read More