Buy Protea susannae

Let’s address the elephant in the room first up. Does the ‘Stink-leaf Sugarbush’ really small that bad… um, yeah it does. BUT! Only when the leaves are cut or crushed. So not a good candidate for the vase but still a stunning addition to the garden. An even better option for the front yard where it can be picked by that ‘neighbor who thinks you don’t really mind so no need to ask’… sweet revenge!s.

A VERY special treat for coastal gardeners! Fast growing, robust & easy (given the appropriate sandy soil), Protea susannae flowers through the Winter months with large, reddish brown to suffuse rose flower heads of hefty size - around 4" each. The foliage starts downy, but matures to a leathery grey-green. The crushed leaves smell sulphur-ey, which gives this magnificent shrub its stinky common name. For those of us living in the land of clay, grow this beauty in a super sized pot, or amend your soil generously with rotted pine needles & garden compost (no phosphorous!) Plant on a raised mound to encourage excellent drainage. Height at maturity can be 6-9', with a slightly broader spread.