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Silver-Gilt Medal awarded at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show
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  • or use plant finder
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    'P' > PROTEA >
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    PROTEA
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    <
    PROTEA PROTEA PROTEA OLEARIA nummularifolia and PROTEA Leucadendron argenteum © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    >

    PROTEA

    Commonly known as Cape silver tree

    Despite the casualties from the colder winter of 2010/11 proteas are much easier to grow than many people imagine and can readily be grown outside in milder areas PROVIDING the soil is very free draining, acidic and low in nutrients (ie no fertiliser containing phosphates). Full sun and a south facing slope would be ideal. To avoid proteas getting wet feet it is helpful to plant them on a raised mound and add bark or grit for improved drainage. See more care details on website

     

    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes - Click to close
    • Endangered in the wild
      These plants are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's list of 'Red Plants'. This is a list of threatened species in the wild, they are either critically, endangered or vulnerable to extinction.
    • Pests & Diseases
      Red spider mites, under glass.
    • Place of origin
      South Africa (Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape)
    • Resistant to honey fungus
      These plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
    • Evergreen
      Leaves 10-15cm (4-6in) long, yellowish-green on males and greenish-silver on females.
    • Green
      Greenish white or silver
    • Greenhouse / conservatory
      Not the sort of plants to be grown outside where there are likely to be frosts. These plants need to be grown in a conservatory or cool greenhouse or at least brought inside for the winter
    • Tender (greenhouse & conservatory)
    • Height
      6-10m (20-33ft)
    • Spread
      2-4m (6½-13ft)
    • Tree
      Erect, pyramidal to columnar small tree. Smooth, grey bark with distinctive horizontal leaf scars. Produces spherical flowerheads to 4cm (1½in) across, yellowish green on male trees, greenish silver on female, surrounded by lustrous bracts to 2cm (¾in) long. The silvery cones persist for several years.
    • Pruning group 1
      Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
      Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
      When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.

    • Heated greenhouse - warm temperate
      Can be grown outside in summer. Plant can withstand temperatures down to 5°C (41°F)
    • Spring Seasonal Interest
    • Summer Seasonal Interest
    • Acid / ericaceous loving
    • Free draining sandy soil
      Light, gritty soil. Will not tolerate cold, wet soil.
    • Full sun
    • Broadly conical
    • Mature Size
      6-10m (20-33ft)
      		 tree - guide for size not form Average Person
        2-4m (6½-13ft)
      		  
    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
    Protea - Care Guide
    Trees - Care Guide
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    View Planting Combinations

    Varieties

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    • PROTEA Banksia integrifolia
    Coast banksia
    Leathery leaves with white undersides, cone-shaped yellow 'bottlebrush' flowers
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £25.00
    Notify me
    Available again from summer 2025
    Could be any time, June through to end August. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    PROTEA Banksia serrata
    Old man banksia, Red honeysuckle, Saw banksia, Saw-toothed banksia
    Serrated leaves and yellow-green flowers
     
    1 to 1.5 Litre
    £25.00
    PROTEA Hakea laurina
    Emu bush, Kodjet, Pin-cushion hakea
    Flowers resemble a pin-cushion in shape when open, with a red-pink globular centre and white pins radiating out
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £25.00
    Notify me
    Unavailable
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    PROTEA Hakea lissosperma
    Mountain hakea
    Grey-green needle-like leaves and showy white flowers. Perfectly hardy
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £25.00
    Notify me
    Unavailable
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    PROTEA Leucadendron 'Burgundy Sunset'
    Unusual deep bronzed-brown foliage
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £27.50
    PROTEA Leucadendron 'Devil's Blush'
    Bluish foliage and burgundy red flower bracts
     
    2 Litre
    £27.50
    PROTEA Leucadendron galpinii 'Purple Haze'
    Slender leaves turning silvery-purple in winter. Silver cones
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £25.00
    PROTEA Leucadendron 'Inca Gold'
    Upright grower producing long reddish stems of butter-yellow tulip-like bracts which become tipped in crimson in winter
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £27.50
    PROTEA Leucadendron 'Jester'
    Variegated leaves and red bracts
     
    2 Litre
    £27.50
    PROTEA Leucadendron 'Safari Sunset'
    Hardy to about -6°C in ideal conditions.This variety has a medium sized bract (flower) which is brilliant red and provides a colourful winter or spring display
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £27.50
    PROTEA Leucospermum 'Tiara'
    Pincushion
    Orange flowers
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £30.00
    Notify me
    Unavailable
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    PROTEA Protea 'Clark's Red'
    Comparatively hardy hybrid variety. Dark red flowers with white tips
     
    3 - 5 Litre
    £30.00
    Notify me
    Estimated availability autumn 2025 Any time SEPT-DEC
    Not yet confirmed. Could be any time between September and December.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    PROTEA Protea cynaroides
    Giant protea, King protea
    Large bracts in shades of pale to darker pink
     
    2 Litre
    £45.00
    PROTEA Protea cynaroides 'Little Prince'
    Compact habit with pink outsides to the flower bracts and white insides
     
    2 Litre
    £42.50
    PROTEA Protea eximia
    King Protea
    Grey-green to purple-green leaves and large flower heads with deep pink bracts on the outside and whiter in the centre
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £30.00
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    • Useful extras...

    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
    All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants. Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
    1 ltr
    £8.50
    Garden Goodies
    Slate Plant Labels
    These wonderfully tactile natural slate plant labels are hand made in Cornwall and come with a chalk pen. Just stick them in your pot or border. Pack of 6.
    Stick in slate labels
    £10.00
    Vermin & Pest Control
    SB Plant Invigorator
    This is a non-biological non-chemical plant insecticide and mildewcide. Works against the physical motion of the insect. Perfect for all plants and edible crops.
    500 ml
    £8.00
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