The Protea Family (Proteaceae)

Article by: Geoff Bryant

The protea family (Proteaceae) includes a wide range of ground covers, trees , Flag Day: Will You Be Ready? and shrubs , Flag Day: Will You Be Ready? that often make superb garden , The Flower Drying Game - Part 1: Air, Sand, and Sources plants. While some of the species are frost-tender, they are in all other respects remarkably resilient plants , Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling that often thrive in situations where others would rapidly succumb. Poor soils , Water Lilies - Pruning and Trimming and hot , Pool Waterfalls dry positions that scarcely seem capable of supporting life are often ideal for Proteaceae. If any plants , International Flower Delivery could be said to thrive on neglect the proteas can. Proteas (the term is often used collectively as well as for the genus itself) are a variable group. Indeed, the family was named after Proteus, a Greek god capable of changing his shape at will. It includes some 60 genera and 1400 species of Southern Hemisphere plants, , The Flower Drying Game - Part 1: Air, Sand, and Sources the bulk of which are native to southern Africa and Australia with the remainder coming from South America and many of the Pacific islands, including two species (Knightia excelsa and Toronia toru) from New Zealand. There is an enormous variety of foliage among the proteas. It is almost always evergreen, but may be needle-like, as with many grevilleas; long, narrow and serrated like that of Dryandra formosa; or rounded and leathery like the leaves of Protea cynaroides. Some genera, particularly Leucadendron, include species with brightly coloured foliage, the intensity of which varies with the season. , The Great History of Roses Leucadendron stems retain their colour , Front Yard Landscaping Ideas - How To Plant And Care For Shrubs for weeks when cut and are an important part of the cut flower , The Drying Game - Part 1: Air, Sand, and Sources industry. Protea flowers , Pool Waterfalls are composed of clusters of narrow tubes that are often curved. These 'spider' flowers , Tips for Buying Plants Online are seen at their simplest in the two native species and some of the grevilleas. In many cases what appears to be the flower , Front Yard Landscaping Ideas - How To Plant And Care For Shrubs is actually a bract of brightly coloured leaves surrounding the true flowers. , Theme Gardens The most impressive example of this is the dinner plate-sized flower , Growing Organic! Herbs, s and Fruit head of Protea cynaroides. The flowering season , How to Naturally Dry Hydrangeas also varies; many proteas and grevilleas flower , Pool Waterfalls in winter, , The Most Popular Flower Fragrances while leucospermums tend to flower , Replacing Tree Blossoms with Hanging Baskets in summer. , Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling With careful selection it is possible to plants , Choosing A Landscaping Firm in flower , Care and Repair of Garden Tools all year round. The flowers , Soil, Drainage, and Water often contain large quantities of nectar that many birds , Your Garden - Growing from Seed relish. Some species have very sticky flowers , Dwarf Korean Lilac that will trap visiting insects, especially bees an this slightly sinister side of the flower , Care and Repair of Garden Tools appears to serve no particular purpose. The South African and Australian Proteaceae tend to be at their best in warm, dry conditions and often thrive in coastal areas. Inland, unseasonable early and late frosts often kill all but the hardiest specimens. The South American genera tend to be hardier and prefer somewhat damper conditions. Embothrium in particular, can withstand hard frosts and is grown over most of the country. But where winter , Patio Chairs - Why My Green Patio Metal Bench Is Giving Me Immense Satisfaction temperatures regularly drop to -6Ã‚Â°C or lower, most proteas require frost protection.

Cultivation

Other than a suitable climate, , Birdbaths the key to success with proteas is establishing the right soil , Making the Most of the Front of Your Home Using Wind Chimes conditions. The protea family is mainly adapted to mineral based soils , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway that drain very quickly and which often have low nutrient levels. These soils , The Gazebo Spa: One of 5 Creative Ways to Use Your Garden Gazebo tend to be moderately acid and are often especially low in phosphates. Good drainage is absolutely essential. Rich loams and heavy clays do not make good protea soils. , Indoor Waterfalls If you have a heavy soil , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) do not try to improve it by adding sand , Tuberous Begonias or shingle as this will often make the problem worse; the soil , Safety On Lawn Tractors binds with the sand , House Name Plates and shingle and sets like concrete. , Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping Instead add more humus. Proteas would not appreciate the rapid burst of nutrients from a rich compost , Tomatoes: History, Origin, Facts... or Fiction? so the humus used should be fairly low in nutrients. Natural , Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling leaf mould and rotted pine needles work well. To avoid these materials compacting down into a poor draining thatch, incorporate about 50% fine shingle grit by volume and combine the mix with the existing soil. , How to Grow Ornamental Grasses Most proteaceous plants , Theme Gardens come from areas with low rainfall or where the rains are strictly seasonal. Many are coastal plants , Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping although most of the South African genera include alpine or sub-alpine species. Knightia from New Zealand and Embothrium from Chile are exceptions; they usually occur away from the coast, in areas where rainfall is quite high and not seasonal. Nevertheless, they still demand excellent drainage. Although proteas are remarkably resilient and not difficult to grow , Water Lilies - Pruning and Trimming there seems to be some common myths regarding their cultivation. Like most myths these have some basis in fact, but they can be misleading.

Myth 1: feeding proteas will kill them.

That's not strictly true. Proteas need nutrients just like any other plant, , Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles but their are a little more exacting than some. It's not fertiliser that does the damage but high phosphate levels and intense bursts of nutrients that lead to overly rapid growth. Avoid most general garden , 6 Steps To A Greener, Healthier Lawn fertilisers, fresh animal manures and anything with added superphosphate. Because proteas will tolerate poor soils, , Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping it is often easier not to feed them rather than risk damage, but you'll certainly get better results if you apply a slow release, low phosphate fertiliser in late winter , Daylily 'When My Sweetheart Returns' and mid summer. , Choosing A Landscaping Firm This will keep the plants , Dwarf Korean Lilac growing slowly but steadily; any bolting into growth tends to weaken them.

Myth 2: proteas only grow , Theme Gardens near the coast.

Not true. Many proteaceous plants , How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100 come from inland areas. They will tolerate salt breezes but there is no general preference for coastal conditions.

Myth 3: proteas like wind.

That's also not entirely true. Proteaceous plants , How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100 do not tolerate wet foliage or high humidity for long periods and in areas prone to these conditions extra ventilation will help reduce the incidence of fungal diseases. , Care and Repair of Garden Tools However, most proteas have brittle branches that snap or split in strong winds so there's no reason to presume that they prefer windy locations. , 6 Steps To A Greener, Healthier Lawn

Myth 4: proteas need a hot , The Great History of Roses sunny position.

Yes, most Proteaceae prefer full sun , Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles or something near to it. But that doesn't necessarily mean the hottest, most baked position you can find. Although they will survive severe conditions once established, extreme heat , The Great History of Roses and drought , Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping will cause damage, especially to young plants. , Flower Bulbs in Dry Climate Shade from the hottest sun , Your Garden - Growing from Seed will prolong the flower , Water Lilies - Pruning and Trimming display and, provided the drainage is good, occasional deep watering is also recommended.

Myth 5: proteas are short-lived.

Some are and some aren't. Old plants , An Introduction To Vinyl Fences are normally removed long before the end of their natural , 5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Can't Live Without lives because they tend to become rather woody and untidy. You can generally reckon on a useful lifetime of at least 8 years for Leucadendron and Leucospermum, and around 12 years for Protea. However, large species, such as Grevillea robusta and Banksia integrifolia, may continue to be effective garden , Soils, the Natural Solution plants for several decades.

Planting

Most proteaceous plants , Your Garden - Growing from Seed are sold in containers and are ready to plant , Transing Deciduous Shrubs right away. However, the best planting time depends on your climate. , Aluminum Sling Patio Furniture. Comfortable Seating for Outdoor Settings Autumn , How to Reduce Pollution Using a Robotic Lawn Mower or winter , The Gazebo Spa: One of 5 Creative Ways to Use Your Garden Gazebo is best in mild areas as this is when moisture , Dwarf Korean Lilac requirements are at their lowest, while spring , How to Reduce Pollution Using a Robotic Lawn Mower is the preferred time if regular frosts are expected as this allows the young plants , The Great History of Roses to get well established before having to endure winter , Patio Chairs - Why My Green Patio Metal Bench Is Giving Me Immense Satisfaction conditions. Start by digging a hole at least twice the size of the plant's container, this large volume of loose soil , Indoor Waterfalls will encourage good root , Aluminum Sling Patio Furniture. Comfortable Seating for Outdoor Settings development.. Additional drainage material can be added to the hole if necessary, otherwise planting is just a matter of removing the plant , Lawn Tractors - Buying the Right One from its container, loosening any spiralling roots , Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling before placing in the hole, then refilling the hole and firming the plant , Bedding s and Plugs (small plants) into position. Large specimens will require staking to prevent wind damage.

Cut flower , An Introduction To Vinyl Fences use

Many proteaceous plants , Relaxation in the Garden Starts With a Swing Bed make excellent long-lasting cut flowers. , Patio Chairs - Why My Green Patio Metal Bench Is Giving Me Immense Satisfaction Leucadendrons in particular are widely planted solely for the purpose of providing material for floral decorations. Protea, Leucospermum, Banksia and Serruria flowers , The Drying Game - Part 1: Air, Sand, and Sources can all be used to make impressive large arrangements while the less dramatic blooms of Grevillea and Isopogon are better suited to more dainty work. Some flowers, , Soil is the Foundation of Every Garden particularly goblet-shaped Protea flowers , Tips for Buying Plants Online dry well although they do tend to disintegrate rather suddenly after a few months. Other genera such as Banksia and Leucadendron produce seed , Dwarf Korean Lilac heads or cones that can be used in dried arrangements.

Pruning

Most proteaceous plants , Soil, Drainage, and Water need occasional trimming and tidying. This may be to improve their growth habit or to remove old flowers , Lawn Tractors - Buying the Right One or seed , How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100 heads that have become dry and unsightly. How far to cut back is the usual question. This varies with the genera, although as a rule only light , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) pruning is recommended as there is a general reluctance among proteas to reshoot from bare wood. , The Great History of Roses Of the common genera Banksia and Grevillea will withstand hard trimming, as will Leucadendron, Telopea and Mimetes, but pruning , The Great History of Roses of Dryandra, Leucospermum, Serruria, Paranomus and most Protea species should be restricted to a light , An Introduction to Bonsai Maple Trees annual trimming. The best time to prune , Aluminum Sling Patio Furniture. Comfortable Seating for Outdoor Settings is usually immediately after flowering , Water Lilies - Pruning and Trimming unless you want to leave a few seed , Birdbaths heads to mature for use as dried decorations. In areas where there is the possibility of frost damage, it is advisable to leave pruning autumn , 5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Can't Live Without and winter-flowering plants , How to Grow Ornamental Grasses until spring. , Your Garden - Growing from Seed

Container Growing

Some proteaceae can make good container plants, , How to Naturally Dry Hydrangeas but you will have to be careful with your choice of potting mixes and fertilisers. Potting mixes need to be very free draining and often benefit from added coarse material such as shingle chips or pumice. Bark based mixes seem to work well but some growers feel they produce too much ethylene, which may harm the plants , Making a Garden Pond With a Pond Liner in the long run. Many commercial growers use soil , Making a Garden Pond With a Pond Liner based mixes and they generally prefer relatively poor and gritty volcanic soils. , Theme Gardens Even plants , Indoor Waterfalls with low nutrient demands will eventually exhaust their potting mix, so you will have to apply fertiliser occasionally. Use mild liquid fertilisers or special low-phosphate slow release pellets. Provided you are cautious the plants , Making a Garden Pond With a Pond Liner should respond well.

Propagation

Proteas can be frustratingly difficult plants , Replacing Tree Blossoms with Hanging Baskets to propagate. Fresh seed , Theme Gardens often germinates well only for the seedlings to collapse after a few weeks. This is usually due to a fungal disease , Soils, the Natural Solution that blackens the foliage and eventually kills the young seedlings. Regular fungicide applications are important. Prick out the young seedlings into a coarse, free draining, unfertilised potting mix once they have their first true leaves. Cultivars and selected forms must be propagated vegetatively. The usual method is firm semi-ripe cuttings in late summer , Choosing A Landscaping Firm and autumn. , Replacing Tree Blossoms with Hanging Baskets The success rate varies markedly; some cultivars, such as Leucadendron 'Safari Sunset', strike quite easily while many others may be virtually impossible without professional equipment.

Pests and Diseases

Grow , Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping n under the right conditions proteaceous plants , 6 Steps To A Greener, Healthier Lawn are relatively free of pests , How to Naturally Dry Hydrangeas and diseases, , Safety On Lawn Tractors or rather they're not attacked by anything out of the ordinary. The most widespread problems are leaf roller caterpillars and scale insects, which can eventually lead to sooty mould. When growing , Soils, the Natural Solution proteas from seed , Care and Repair of Garden Tools you will doubtless lose some to the fungal disease , Making the Most of the Front of Your Home Using Wind Chimes mentioned above. This disease, , Lawn Tractors - Buying the Right One which appears to be a type of damping off, can sometimes also attack more mature plants. , Soil is the Foundation of Every Garden It appears to be far worse in excessively wet conditions or after long periods of high humidity. Good ventilation and avoidance of overcrowding are effective preventatives and regular spraying with fungicides may control the problem.

Common genera

Many of these plants , The Great History of Roses are not widely available at garden , Choosing A Landscaping Firm centres, although specialist growers would consider them to be just the most common genera and are likely to stock others as well. All of the species and genera covered here are evergreen unless otherwise stated.

Aulax

This is a South African genus of small to medium sized shrubs. , How to Naturally Dry Hydrangeas This genus and Leucadendron are the only dioecious (separate male and female plants) members of the Proteaceae. Seed , How to Reduce Pollution Using a Robotic Lawn Mower of all three species, Aulax cancellata, Aulax pallasia and Aulax umbellata, is available but only Aulax cancellata is commonly planted. It grows , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway to 1.5-2m Ãƒâ€” 1m and has fine needle-like leaves. In spring, , Aluminum Sling Patio Furniture. Comfortable Seating for Outdoor Settings female plants , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway produce red edged yellow flowers , How to Reduce Pollution Using a Robotic Lawn Mower that develop into red seed , 5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Can't Live Without cones. The catkin-like male flowers , House Name Plates are yellow, as are those of Aulax pallasia and Aulax umbellata, the female flowers , The Gazebo Spa: One of 5 Creative Ways to Use Your Garden Gazebo of which are not very showy. Aulax pallasia grows , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) to about 3 m and Aulax umbellata about 1.5m. All are hardy to about -5Ã‚Â°C and are usually raised from seed. , Your Garden - Growing from

Banksia

An Australian genus of about 60 species, ranging in size from ground covers to medium-sized trees. , Soils, the Natural Solution The flowering season , The Most Popular Flower Fragrances is primarily from late winter , An Introduction to Bonsai Maple Trees to late spring , Daylily 'When My Sweetheart Returns' and most species have cylindrical cone-like flower , Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping heads composed of densely packed filamentous styles radiating from a central core. Creamy yellow to light , Front Yard Landscaping Ideas - How To Plant And Care For Shrubs golden-yellow is the predominant colour , Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles range, although a few species, such as Banksia ericifolia and Banksia praemorsa, have golden-orange flowers , Making the Most of the Front of Your Home Using Wind Chimes and those of Banksia coccinea are red. Most species have narrow serrated leaves that are mid to deep green , International Flower Delivery above and silvery grey on the undersides but Banksia ericifolia has fine needle-like leaves. Leaf size varies from very small up to the 50cm long leaves of Banksia grandis. Hardiness varies with the species, some are quite frost tender but some will tolerate -10Ã‚Â°C. Relatively few are seen in nurseries but the seed , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) of most species can be obtained from Australia. Banksia ericifolia and Banksia integrifolia are the most widely grown and are also the hardiest of the common species, both withstanding -10Ã‚Â°C once well established. There are hardly any cultivars or selected forms of Banksia in cultivation. Species may be raised from seed , Soil is the Foundation of Every Garden and most will also strike quite freely from semi-ripe cuttings.

Dryandra

An Australian genus of around 60 species of shrubs , Flower Bulbs in Dry Climate ranging in height from about 1-4 m. Most have narrow, mid to deep green , Front Yard Landscaping Ideas - How To Plant And Care For Shrubs leaves that are often very long and narrow with sharply toothed edges. The rounded flower , Making a Garden Pond With a Pond Liner heads, which appear from mid winter, , 5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Can't Live Without are usually light , How to Naturally Dry Hydrangeas to bright yellow. The most common species is Dryandra formosa, which grows , Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles to about 3m and is hardy to around -5Ã‚Â°C once established (most of the other species are less hardy). Dryandras are superb long-lasting cut flowers , The Gazebo Spa: One of 5 Creative Ways to Use Your Garden Gazebo and some will also dry well. They will grow , Soils, the Natural Solution on extremely poor soil , The Great History of Roses and generally react badly to most fertilisers. Raise from seed , 6 Steps To A Greener, Healthier Lawn or semi-ripe cuttings, which are often difficult to strike.

Embothrium

The Chilean Fire , Theme Gardens Bush (Embothrium coccineum) is a small tree , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway around 5m Ãƒâ€” 2.5m. It has 100mm long, leathery, bright green , Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles leaves that may become somewhat sparse on older plants. , House Name Plates In mid to late spring , Pool Waterfalls the tree , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) turns vivid orange-red as the honeysuckle-like tubular flowers , Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles open -Ã‚Â the flowering season , Front Yard Landscaping Ideas - How To Plant And Care For Shrubs is brief but spectacular. Two forms are grown: 'Longifolium' and 'Lanceolatum'; 'Longifolium' is the more common cultivar. It is a vigorous upright plant , Pool Waterfalls that is quite drought , 5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Can't Live Without tolerant and hardy to about -10Ã‚Â°C. 'Lanceolatum' is a stockier grower with narrow leaves. It demands more moisture , Making the Most of the Front of Your Home Using Wind Chimes but withstands harder frosts, up to -15Ã‚Â°C with some protection. However, in very cold winters , Flower Bulbs in Dry Climate it may lose up to two thirds of its foliage. Overall Embothrium requires more moisture , May Gardening Tips for the Southwest than most Proteaceae but good drainage is still important. It may be grown from seed , Your Garden - Growing from but is usually propagated by semi-ripe cuttings.

Grevillea

With some 250 species, this is the largest of the Australian proteaceous genera. Most of the common garden , Soil is the Foundation of Every species and cultivars are ground covers to medium-sized shrubs , Flag Day: Will You Be Ready? (up to 3m) with needle-like foliage. However, some species are far larger. The silky oak (Grevillea robusta), which is often seen in mild area, can grow , Relaxation in the Garden Starts With a Swing Bed to 20m and in common with most of the larger species it has large pinnate leaves. Grevillea banksii has similar foliage but only grows , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway to about 3.5m Ãƒâ€” 3m. The more densely foliaged plants, , How to Naturally Dry Hydrangeas especially Grevillea juniperina and Grevillea rosmarinifolia, are often used as hedging plants. , The Great History of Roses These plants , Soil is the Foundation of Every Garden grow to at least 1.5m high. Grevillea flowers , Care and Repair of Garden Tools are often describe as 'spider flowers'. This refers to the styles of some species, which tend to radiate from the centre like a spider's legs. Some species have 'toothbrush' flowers; the styles are all on one side like the bristles of a toothbrush. The best known example of this type of flower , Pool Waterfalls is the common red-flowered cultivar 'Robin Hood'. Many Grevillea cultivars areÃ‚Â cultivated and they generally adapt well toÃ‚Â garden conditions. Among the more popular are 'Jenkinsii' (a heavy flowering , Soils, the Natural Solution form of the red-flowered Grevillea rosmarinifolia), 'Robyn Gordon' (orange-red to red toothbrush flowers) Ãƒâ€”gaudichaudii (deep red), 'Austraflora Canterbury Gold' (light golden yellow) and many of the Poorinda cultivars. Grevilleas are among the more widely available proteaceous plants , Aluminum Sling Patio Furniture. Comfortable Seating for Outdoor Settings and most nurseries stock a good selection. The species and hybrids vary enormously in hardiness. Some will stand little or no frost but others, such as Grevillea rosmarinifolia, will tolerate frosts of -10Ã‚Â°C or lower; all prefer full sun , Safety On Lawn Tractors with good drainage. The species are easily raised from seed , The Gazebo Spa: One of 5 Creative Ways to Use Your Garden Gazebo and most hybrids strike quite freely from semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer , Making a Garden Pond With a Pond Liner or autumn. , Soil, Drainage, and Water

Hakea

This Australian genus includes about 130 species, few of which are widely cultivated. The most common is probably Hakea laurina, the Pincushion Hakea. When not in flower, , Soil, Drainage, and Water this species could easily be mistaken for a small eucalyptus. It has bluish-green narrow, oblong to sickle-shaped leaves and reddish-brown bark. It grows , Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling to about 6m Ãƒâ€” 4m and mature trees , Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping have a slightly weeping habit. The name pincushion refers to the flowers, , An Introduction To Vinyl Fences which are spherical, with numerous radiating styles. They appear in late autumn , House Name Plates and early winter, , An Introduction To Vinyl Fences opening cream and turning to orange and red as they age. This shrub , How to Naturally Dry Hydrangeas is hardy to about -5Ã‚Â°C once well established and is easily grown in most well-drained soils. , May Gardening Tips for the Southwest Of the other species, the most common are Hakea salicifolia, Hakea prostrata and Hakea sericea. They are hardy to about -8Ã‚Â°C or slightly lower and are easily grown in most soils. , How to Reduce Pollution Using a Robotic Lawn Mower Hakea salicifolia has narrow, willow-like leaves, spidery, white flowers , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) that are produced in spring. , Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling It grows , Tuberous Begonias up to 5m high and will tolerate poor drainage. Hakea prostrata and Hakea sericea have fine needle-like leaves and white , Pool Waterfalls or pale pink flowers , Replacing Tree Blossoms with Hanging Baskets in winter , How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100 and early spring. , Patio Chairs - Why My Green Patio Metal Bench Is Giving Me Immense Satisfaction It grows , House Name Plates to about 3m Ãƒâ€” 2m. All member of this genus are usually raised from seed , Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles but some can be grown from cuttings. A few, such as H. franciscana, are weak growers that often perform better when grafted onto more vigorous stocks, such as Hakea salicifolia.

Isopogon

Drumsticks, which refers to the shape of the flower , International Delivery stems and unopened buds, , Daylily 'When My Sweetheart Returns' is a name often used for Isopogon anemonifolius but it can also be applied to the genus as a whole. It is an Australian genus of 34 species of small to medium sized shrubs, , Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping most of which grow , The Flower Drying Game - Part 1: Air, Sand, and Sources from 1-2m high and about as wide. They have a preference for poor but well-drained soil , Replacing Tree Blossoms with Hanging Baskets and will quickly collapse if over-watered or overfed. Most species have narrow lanceolate leaves about 75mm long and some, such as the common Isopogon anemonifolius, have finely cut foliage reminiscent of Marguerite daisy or Anemone leaves. The flower , An Introduction To Vinyl Fences heads, which open in spring , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway and early summer, , Daylily 'When My Sweetheart Returns' are composed of a central cone from which radiate numerous styles. Some species have short stiff styles but in others they are long and filamentous. The flower , Tomatoes: History, Origin, Facts... or Fiction? colours are mainly white, , Indoor Waterfalls yellow or pink. , House Name Plates The two most widely grown species, Isopogon anemonifolius and Isopogon anethifolius are hardy to about -5Ã‚Â°C, but many species, such as Isopogon cuneatus and the temptingly beautiful pink , Soils, the Natural Solution and yellow-flowered Isopogon latifolius, are damaged at temperatures , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) below -2Ã‚Â°C. Isopogon species are usually raised from seed. , International Flower Delivery

Knightia

The Rewa Rewa or New Zealand Honeysuckle (Knightia excelsa) is the best known of the twoÃ‚Â New ZealandÃ‚Â proteaceous species. In the wild it can grow , Soils, the Natural Solution to be a tall narrow tree , Aluminum Sling Patio Furniture. Comfortable Seating for Outdoor Settings up to 25m high and it is one of the few proteaceous plants , How to Grow Ornamental Grasses to have been harvested for its timber, , 5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Can't Live Without which is very attractively marked. In gardens , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway it is more restrained and seldom exceeds 8m Ãƒâ€” 3.5m. Rewa rewa has semi-glossy, deep green , The Great History of Roses to bronze-green, narrow, lanceolate to oblong leaves that are very tough and leathery. In summer , Relaxation in the Garden Starts With a Swing Bed it produces tubular honeysuckle-like flowers , Growing Organic! Herbs, s and Fruit that develop from buds , Flower Bulbs in Dry Climate covered in a reddish brown tomentum. As the flowers , Patio Chairs - Why My Green Patio Metal Bench Is Giving Me Immense Satisfaction open the tomentum covered sepals and the petals curl back to form a congested mass in the centre of the flower , Birdbaths head. The flowers, , Birdbaths which can smell unpleasant, are followed by conspicuous brown, velvety seed , Daylily 'When My Sweetheart Returns' pods. Rewa Rewa is easily grown in moist well-drained soil , Dwarf Korean Lilac in sun , Choosing A Landscaping Firm or partial shade and is hardy to about -5Ã‚Â°C or slightly lower once established. It may be grown in any coastal area if protected when young. New Zealand honeysuckle is usually raised from seed , Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling and garden , Birdbaths centres often stock ready-grown plants. , Making a Garden Pond With a Pond Liner

Leucadendron

Species of this genus are the most widely grown of the South African Proteaceae and many are valued for the long-lasting qualities of their flower , Daylily 'When My Sweetheart Returns' bracts once cut. Most are medium-sized shrubs , Indoor Waterfalls around 1-2.5m high. However, one of the best known species, the silver tree , The Gazebo Spa: One of 5 Creative Ways to Use Your Garden Gazebo (Leucadendron argenteum), can grow , Making a Garden Pond With a Pond Liner to 10m high and the less widely grown Leucadendron eucalyptifolium may reach 5m. Many species and cultivars are grown, but probably the most widely planted is 'Safari Sunset'. It is a hybrid between Leucadendron laureolum and Leucadendron salignum and is fairly typical of the genus. It has narrow, lanceolate leaves that are up to 100mm long. Some species, such as L. argenteum, have tomentose foliage but 'Safari Sunset' does not. The upward-facing foliage densely covers the narrow, upright branches and develops deep red tints at the flowering tips. , An Introduction To Vinyl Fences Deep red leaf bracts enclose the flower , House Name Plates cones. As the insignificant flowers , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) near maturity, the bracts become intensely coloured. 'Safari Sunset' has red bracts but others develop cream, yellow, pink , Dwarf Korean Lilac or orange tones. 'Wilson's Wonder' (yellow and orange-red), 'Maui Sunset' (cream, yellow and red) and 'Rewa Gold' (yellow) are among the most spectacular. Leucadendrons generally develop their best colours , Flower Bulbs in Dry Climate from mid to late winter , International Flower Delivery but 'Jester' a pink, , Growing Organic! Herbs, Flowers and Fruit cream and green , Care and Repair of Garden Tools variegated sport of 'Safari Sunset' is brightly coloured throughout the year. The species and hybrids vary considerably in hardiness but most will tolerate frosts of at least -3Ã‚Â°C provided they have good drainage and the humidity is not excessive. 'Safari Sunset' is hardy to about -8Ã‚Â°C and most of the numerous Leucadendron salignum and Leucadendron laureolum hybrids are nearly as hardy. In the North Island leucadendrons generally thrive in all but the coldest central areas and they can be grown with varying degrees of success in all coastal areas of the South Island. Leucadendrons can be tricky to propagate. Reasonably firm cuttings taken in early autumn , Making the Most of the Front of Your Home Using Wind Chimes are usually the easiest to strike but gardeners without specialised propagating facilities may experience problems and although seed , How to Reduce Pollution Using a Robotic Lawn Mower germinates well, it is inclined to damp off. Garden , Water Lilies - Pruning and Trimming centres often stock a good range of plants. , Making a Garden Pond With a Pond Liner

Leucospermum

A South African genus of about 50 species, most of which are medium to large shrubs , Soils, the Natural Solution that grow , How to Naturally Dry Hydrangeas to about 1.5-3m high. Some, such as Leucospermum reflexum, have strongly upright growth habits but most, including the commonly cultivated species, Leucospermum cordifolium, are dense and bushy. Both of these species have tomentose greyish-green leaves that are usually broadly oval shaped, often with small red-tipped lobes. The leaves of Leucospermum reflexum are narrower and greyer than those of Leucospermum cordifolium. Leucospermum reflexum can grow , Front Yard Landscaping Ideas - How To Plant And Care For Shrubs to 3m Ãƒâ€” 3m but Leucospermum cordifolium is usually around 1.5m Ãƒâ€” 1.5m. The flowers , International Delivery are variously described as Catherine wheels, pincushions and sky rockets, all of which refer to the numerous radiating styles. These are often incurved, creating a cupped effect. The flower , How to Reduce Pollution Using a Robotic Lawn Mower heads of Leucospermum cordifolium are quite globular while those of Leucospermum reflexum have drooping styles at the base of the flower. , May Gardening Tips for the Southwest The flowers , Your Garden - Growing from Seed usually appear in late spring , Dwarf Korean Lilac and continue for about two months. They are attractive when fresh but often become unsightly once they die off. Most garden , Making the Most of the Front of Your Home Using Wind Chimes leucospermums are cultivars of Leucospermum cordifolium and are hardy to occasional frosts of about -5Ã‚Â°C, but they resent wet or humid winter , Growing Organic! Herbs, Flowers and Fruit conditions, which can often lead to tip , Theme Gardens die back. Good drainage is also very important. Cuttings taken in early autumn , An Introduction To Vinyl Fences are the most likely to strike but without proper equipment they may prove difficult and seed , Your Garden - Growing from often germinates well only to be killed by fungal diseases. , Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles Gritty well-drained soil, , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) regular fungicide use and just enough water , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway to keep the seedlings standing up are the keys to success. The orange-flowered 'Harry Chittick' is the plant , Soil is the Foundation of Every Garden most commonly stocked by nurseries and it is one that performs very well.

Mimetes

This South African genus includes 11 species, only one of which is widely grown. Mimetes cucullatus has 40mm long oblong leaves with small lobes at the tips, , The Gazebo Spa: One of 5 Creative Ways to Use Your Garden Gazebo that densely cover the branches like upward facing scales. The small white flowers , Soil is the Foundation of Every Garden are enclosed within leaf bracts that change colour , Soil is the Foundation of Every Garden to a bright red as the flower , Replacing Tree Blossoms with Hanging Baskets buds mature. Mimetes may flower , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) throughout the year but is usually at its best in late spring , How to Naturally Dry Hydrangeas when the new growth appears, as this is also red. Mimetes cucullatus grows , The Gazebo Spa: One of 5 Creative Ways to Use Your Garden Gazebo to about 1.5m Ãƒâ€” 1.5m and is hardy to around -3Ã‚Â°C. It prefers moist, well-drained soil , Pool Waterfalls and is not very drought , Making a Garden Pond With a Pond Liner tolerant. This species is usually raised from seed. , Flower Bulbs in Dry Climate

Paranomus

The most common species of this 18-species genus, Paranomus reflexus, is an undemanding 1.5m Ãƒâ€” 1.8m bush with bright yellow bottle-brush-like flower , Indoor Waterfalls heads in winter , Flag Day: Will You Be Ready? and spring. , The Flower Drying Game - Part 1: Air, Sand, and Sources The foliage is anemone-like and very finely cut; the flower , Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping stems have small diamond shaped leaves just below the flower , Soils, the Natural Solution heads. It is easily grown in any well-drained soil , Daylily 'When My Sweetheart Returns' in full sun. , 5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Can't Live Without Although the plant , Tomatoes: History, Origin, Facts... or Fiction? is hardy to about -5Ã‚Â°C, the flowers , Water Lilies - Pruning and Trimming are damaged by frosts over -2Ã‚Â°C. It is usually raised from seed. , Water Lilies - Pruning and Trimming

Persoonia

An Australian genus of around 75 species of shrubs, , Care and Repair of Garden Tools mostly under 2 m tall and some quite small. Known as geebungs, by far the best-known species is the Pine-leaf Geebung (Persoonia pinifolia), an eastern Australian native that is one of the larger species, capable of reaching 3 m tall. It has a weeping habit, fine needle-like leaves and small yellow flowers. , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway Most geebungs will tolerate about 2 to 5Ã‚Â°C of frost.

Protea

Protea is a genus of about 80 species that is confined to southern Africa and concentrated around the Cape of Good Hope. The species range in size from less than 50cm high to over 4m. Most commonly grown proteas are small to medium sized shrubs , Tuberous Begonias in the 1-2.5m high range. The best known species is Protea neriifolia. It has narrow leaves up to 150mm long that are covered with a fine tomentum when young. In autumn, , Soils, the Natural Solution winter , Daylily 'When My Sweetheart Returns' and spring, , Indoor Waterfalls upright, 125mm long Ãƒâ€” 75mm wide goblet-shaped flowers , How to Naturally Dry Hydrangeas are carried at the tips , The Flower Drying Game - Part 1: Air, Sand, and Sources of the branches. They are composed of a woolly central cone surrounded by overlapping, upward-facing, petal-like, deep reddish-pink bracts tipped with a fringe of black hairs. Many forms with varying colours , How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100 of bract and tip , Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles hairs are grown. Several other species, such as Protea magnifica and Protea laurifolia, have similar flowers. , Landscaping Design - The Primary Principles The central cone, often with many incurving styles, is common to all Protea species but the arrangement of the bracts varies. Many have them arranged in a stellate or star-shaped fashion. The King Protea (Protea cynaroides) is the best known of this type. Its flowers , How to Grow Ornamental Grasses can be up to 300mm in diameter. The flowers , Front Yard Landscaping Ideas - How To Plant And Care For Shrubs of the king protea face upwards but others, such as greenish-yellow-flowered Protea sulphurea, have downward facing flowers. , Soils, the Natural Solution The foliage is also variable. It may be needle-like, as in Protea nana, lanceolate, oblong or rounded. It can be silvery grey, glaucous or bright green , Indoor Waterfalls depending on the species and it may or may not be tomentose. Likewise, hardiness varies considerably. Most species will tolerate at least -3Ã‚Â°C with good drainage and low humidity but many are considerably tougher. Protea neriifolia will withstand -5Ã‚Â°C and Protea grandiceps will often survive -10Ã‚Â°C when well established. Proteas do well over most of the North Island and many species can be grown as far south as Christchurch with a little winter , An Introduction To Vinyl Fences protection. Protea species are often raised from seed, , How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100 which germinates well, but the seedlings may be difficult to keep alive. Hybrids and cultivars must be propagated vegetatively. The usual method is firm semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer , Lawn Tractors - Buying the Right One and autumn. , Lawn Tractors - Buying the Right One Specialist growers stock many species and cultivars while garden , Water Lilies - Pruning and Trimming centres seldom have anything other than the most common plants. , Dwarf Korean Lilac

Serruria

Blushing Bride (Serruria florida) is very popular with florists , Tips for Buying Plants Online because its Nigella-like papery white , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway bracts are very delicate and last well as cut flowers. , The Gazebo Spa: One of 5 Creative Ways to Use Your Garden Gazebo The bracts, which are surrounded with finely cut lacy leaves, are produced freely in winter , Indoor Waterfalls and spring. , Front Yard Landscaping Ideas - How To Plant And Care For Shrubs Blushing Bride can be difficult to grow, , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) because not only is it frost tender (it tolerates only occasional exposure to -2Ã‚Â°C), it must also have full sun , International Flower Delivery and absolutely perfect drainage. It is one of a genus of 44 species from South Africa, of which the only other species commonly grown is Serruria rosea. It is a densely foliaged 70cm Ãƒâ€” 90cm bush with small pink , House Name Plates bracts and is slightly hardier and definitely easier to grow , Tips for Buying Plants Online than Serruria florida. Serruria species should be raised from seed. , Daylily 'When My Sweetheart Returns'

Stenocarpus

The Queensland Firewheel Tree , The Flower Drying Game - Part 1: Air, Sand, and Sources (Stenocarpus sinuata) is a large tree , Bedding Plants and Plugs (small plants) (12m Ãƒâ€” 8m) that produces a magnificent display of orange to red flowers , Bulbs in Dry Climate in summer. , The Flower Drying Game - Part 1: Air, Sand, and Sources It has large, glossy, dark green , How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100 leaves that are deeply lobed. The flowers , Aluminum Sling Patio Furniture. Comfortable Seating for Outdoor Settings are tubular and are carried in flattened clusters that radiate spoke-like from a central hub, hence the name firewheel tree. , Make A Good First Impression: Landscape Your Driveway It is hardy to about -4Ã‚Â°C once well established but is very tender when young and does best in moist well-drained soil , Relaxation in the Garden Starts With a Swing Bed in full sun. , Tuberous Begonias Stenocarpus salignus is a species with long, narrow leaves and cream flowers. , How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard Paradise For Less Than $100 It is smaller and hardier than Stenocarpus sinuata. Stenocarpus is usually raised from seed. , Transplanting Deciduous Shrubs

Telopea

Natives of Australia, the waratah genus includes just four species. The New South Wales waratah (Telopea speciosissima), which is the one most commonly grown has oblong, finely serrated leaves that are up to 125mm long with small notches or lobes at the tips. , Relaxation in the Garden Starts With a Swing Bed It develops into a large shrub , The Great History of Roses or small tree , 5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Can't Live Without up to 5m Ãƒâ€” 5m. The flowers, , Soil, Drainage, and Water which are produced in spring , How to Grow Ornamental Grasses and carried at the tips , 5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Can't Live Without of the branches, are impressively large, bright red, and composed of numerous incurving styles surrounded by red foliage bracts. Several cultivars, such as the semi-dwarf 'Forest Fire' (2m Ãƒâ€” 2m) are reasonably commonly available. The 'Victorian Waratah' (Telopea oreades) is a similar plant , The Flower Drying Game - Part 1: Air, Sand, and Sources with slightly l

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