Protea neriifolia

The Oleander-leaf protea is a member of the Bearded Sugarbushes and good option to begin you Protea journey with. It’s a relatively quick grower with lush pink flowers tipped in black velvet anytime from Fall through to Winter. Needless to say, It’s an excellent cut flower. Not overly too fussy about soils or location but does need a full sun location with good air movement. Can handle a little bit of frost but nothing to excessive. This one can vary in color as its grown from seed, we can’t guarantee that your flowers will match the ones shown here. But is there an undesirable Protea flower color?

This is one of the easiest Proteas to grow: it is very vigorous and will flower generously in a container. The flowers are usually produced in summer, and are mostly orange with fuzzy black margins and tips. In the wild it may reach 8' tall. Although it will tolerate light frost, I would say this species is somewhat less cold-hardy than the others I offer. Native to the Cape Region, its altitudinal range in the wild extends from sea level to about 4,200'.

I do declare! This is one sexy Protea. Said to be one of the easiest Proteas to grow & certainly sought for its magnificent flowers - 6” pink satin bracts trimmed with black marabou, like a sexy negligee. Hot! Cut flowers will last up to 3 weeks in the vase, as well. An imposing 6' (or more) shrub, it does need certain accommodations: as with all Proteas, the soil is key. Free draining, acidic soil is best. If you have clay soil, amend with rotted pine needles, or something else that is both nutrient poor & acidifying. Avoid feeding your plants anything with phosphorus, as this is a sure fire way to kill the plant. Once established, it is a drought tolerant, low care, disease free beauty – tolerant of sun & wind & impervious to deer. From South Africa, of course.