Protea flowering in the UK

Lovely. What an interesting looking plant and flower. Like the lizard too. They are sunning themselves in our garden too.

Nice pictures of protea cynaroides, the King Protea. I've seen this growing in the wild in South Africa. I'm trying it here in a pot that comes indoors for winter. Lots of growth but no flowers so far

Thanks Andrew! I am going to try one in a pot as well. I'm only 10 miles away from the Botanical gardens in Ventnor, living in Cowes but the difference in climate/temperature is significant. I do have some hot and sheltered spots in my back garden where I might try one in the future, but a pot is the answer at the moment, I can bring it in to the conservatory in the winter. Let me know if yours flowers.

Hi there
I was recently down at Hampton court flower show where one of the exhibitors had a huge cut Cynaroides flower which she said was from a very small plant and when I asked her why mine had not flowered this year after loads of flowers last year when sent to me from Trevena nurseries she said sometimes they don't!
I kept mine outside over the winter but used fleece and bubblewrap around the pot when it was frosty and I have had loads of new leaves this year so obviously not come to any harm-however it is a quite large plant so that might have made the difference.
I am intending getting it into my (small,8by6!) greenhouse with my Strelitzia which had 4 amazing large flowers this year as I think the extra heat and light may make the difference as I think it did with the strelitzia.
I have also seen them growing wild in Capetown and was hooked.
Kew have some which do flower annually in the Palm House and the National Botanic Garden of Wales at Middleton (Carmarthen) had some lovely flowers last year on the one in their glasshouse.
Whilst on holiday recently in Cornwall I bought some at the Duchy of Cornwall nursery.A few different varieties of Protea at very reasonable prices and all the ones I had from last year have put on good growth outside and seem to be ok after a repot.
I still have them all in pots because it is too wet to put them in the garden here in Swansea .They will be overwintering inside.let's all hope for flowers!.
NB to Andrew
my water butt is overflowing and no sign of sunshine!
that will teach me to wish for rain!
Arlene

Theones at Kew are great esp Banksia serrata. The best proteas I have seen are at Tresco in the Scilly Isles