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    • Photo of Protea cynaroides close-up, flower by Stan Shebs

    Photo by Stan Shebs

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

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    Buy Protea cynaroides

    Also Known As

    • Giant Protea
    • Honeypot
    • King Protea
    • King Sugar Bush

    Plant type

    shrub

    size

    • H: 1'-6'
    • W: 1'-6'

    planting zones

    • 9a-11

    Big Fella 4”x 6” | $29.95

    Buy button links to nursery site for checkout

    Fewer than 20 at Waltzing Matilija

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    Protea cynaroides plant details

    Protea cynaroides is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring pink flowers emerge. Grows well with sun and low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in acidic, lean and well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Protea cynaroides

    Plant type: shrub
    Plant family: proteaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 1 FT - 6 FT - wide, 1 FT - 6 FT - tall
    Flowers: pink blooms in spring
    Uses: big flowers, container plant, cutting garden, exotic, showy, tropical-looking

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Protea cynaroides

    USDA Zones: 9a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun
    Watering frequency: low
    Resistant to: deer
    Soil needs: acidic, lean and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Protea cynaroides, commonly known as the King Protea, is one of our favorite varieties in the garden. Its large, showy flowers can reach up to 10-12 inches in diameter and have a 3-4 week vase life! Kind of slow-growing (faster in a pot), it prefers well-draining soil and full sun exposure.

    By: Waltzing Matilija

    South Africa's national flower, & the world's best know Protea. This species has large upward facing blooms – up to 11” across, with pink outer bracts. Prized as a cut flower, & jaw dropping in person, it's easy to understand why people will bend over backwards to grow this Protea outside its native range. Here are a few tips to get you started – the right soil is essential! Make sure it is free draining, & nutrient poor. If you have clay soil, incorporate lots of rotted pine needles. Proteas will not tolerant phosphorus, so feed very carefully & judiciously with something phosphate free, & slow releasing. An acid soil is preferred. Variable in height – from 1-6' in height & spread, & circulation around the plant is important, so I would err on the side of giving it breathing room if you can! Bloom time varies based on the provenance of the seed – this form blooms in Spring.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Gardening facts about Protea cynaroides plant

    How to Grow Protea cynaroides

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun

    • Water Needs

      • low - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • acidic
      • lean
      • well-drained

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • pink

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    See other plant types of Protea for your garden

    Protea obtusifolia 'Holiday Red'

    aka Holiday Red Limestone Sugarbush

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Perennial

    Zones

    9b-11

    Size

    Height: 6'

    Width: 6'

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Protea obtusifolia 'Holiday Red' close-up, flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Protea scolymocephala

    aka Thistle Protea

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    9a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2'-4'

    Width: 2'-4'

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Protea scolymocephala flower by Peter Baker
    View Plant

    Protea neriifolia

    aka Oleander-Leaved Protea

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    9a-10b

    Size

    Height: 6'-8'

    Width: 4'

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Protea neriifolia flower by sb616
    View Plant

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    Protea eximia

    aka Protea latifolia, Broadleaf Sugarbush

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    9a-10b

    Size

    Height: 6'-10'

    Width: 6'-12'

    • sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Protea eximia flower, foliage by Marco Schmidt
    View Plant

    More Options

    Protea grandiceps

    aka Peach Protea

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    9b-11

    Size

    Height: 4'-6'

    Width: 4'-6'

    • sun
    • drought tolerant
    Photo of Protea grandiceps flower by Karl Gercens III
    View Plant

    More Options

    +15 more Protea
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