proteas
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:48 pm
I recieved a private message about proteas so I thought I would come back on and post an update. Things have been going well. I've found that they are a lot more hardy if you grow them in a raised bed to keep the roots dry. I've constructed one against the house that raises the soil level by over a foot. This is full of a mix of gravel, sand and compost so its quite free draining and keeps the roots from sitting in soaking soil in the winter. I've includes some photos but since I havent been on forums, I havent taken many for a couple of years so they are mostly of the plants two years ago. They are all a lot bigger now.
A few plants can grow without this treatment. Grevillea Juniperina does well as does Embothrium. This has been getting better each year.
I've also got a protea which I had bought as protea subvestita but I am now convinced is protea lacticolor. This seems happy in the normal garden soil although I have mave just got lucky with the one.
Banksia marginata grows well in the garden too.
In the raised bed I have telopea and most of the proteas as well as banksia spinulosa
One of the issues with proteas is that most flower in winter and spring. If you dont protect the buds from the rain they rot and you dont get the flowers. I've found a cover made with coke bottles helps protect them.
Protea red barron fits into this category as does the king protea. The king protea is a lt more frost sensitive though and frequently gets cut back to its underground lignotuber. Its hard to getto flower outside.
Protea possum magic is an early flowering plant but the buds dont seem as fragile and I havent had to protect them
The summer flowering species are a lot easier. Not only do you not have to protect the buds but they flower when you are outside to see them.
Protea aurea is reliable and fast growing but not the most spectacular
Protea eximia is flowering at the momennt in my garden
In a couple of months protea sylvia will flower. Thats my favourite flower
Protea venustra makes a good ground cover plant and is very hardy. Its also summer flowering
I've also found protea grandicepts to be hardy but very slow growing. I've not had any flowers yet. Protea burcheii and susanne are also worth a try. I've had some flowers on them and the plants have been through several winters
Hpopefully this helps
A few plants can grow without this treatment. Grevillea Juniperina does well as does Embothrium. This has been getting better each year.
I've also got a protea which I had bought as protea subvestita but I am now convinced is protea lacticolor. This seems happy in the normal garden soil although I have mave just got lucky with the one.
Banksia marginata grows well in the garden too.
In the raised bed I have telopea and most of the proteas as well as banksia spinulosa
One of the issues with proteas is that most flower in winter and spring. If you dont protect the buds from the rain they rot and you dont get the flowers. I've found a cover made with coke bottles helps protect them.
Protea red barron fits into this category as does the king protea. The king protea is a lt more frost sensitive though and frequently gets cut back to its underground lignotuber. Its hard to getto flower outside.
Protea possum magic is an early flowering plant but the buds dont seem as fragile and I havent had to protect them
The summer flowering species are a lot easier. Not only do you not have to protect the buds but they flower when you are outside to see them.
Protea aurea is reliable and fast growing but not the most spectacular
Protea eximia is flowering at the momennt in my garden
In a couple of months protea sylvia will flower. Thats my favourite flower
Protea venustra makes a good ground cover plant and is very hardy. Its also summer flowering
I've also found protea grandicepts to be hardy but very slow growing. I've not had any flowers yet. Protea burcheii and susanne are also worth a try. I've had some flowers on them and the plants have been through several winters
Hpopefully this helps