Protea blooming at the Realization Gardens in Encinitas, CA.

Oh thats lovely........

i am going to try some protea here this year.....some are hardier than other i think...

Milky:

Thanks! : > )

Sandra:

Good luck! : >) Proteas are not the easiest plant to grow. I've killed several over the years. LOL!!! The secrets to growing Proteas are: 1) It must have absolutely perfect drainage. The slightest big of excess water will kill it. It prefers to grow on a slope or top of a hill...because that's how they grow in habitat. 3) They tolerate very little, if any fertilizer. Most species are hardy from 20 - 30 degrees F. or -7 to -1 degrees C. Also, too much rain can cause bacterial or fungal problems with the leaves...with that being said: the largest collection of Proteas in CA. I know of -- is growing at the University of Cal. at Santa Cruz (~60 miles south of San Francisco). The garden is on the side of a hill...and Santa Cruz gets a lot of rain during the winter. I hope this helps.

thanks Delonix it does help loads.....i am thinking about overwintering them in my new greenhouse...when i have found myself some....lol

Sandra:

They're worth the effort. They have the most incredible cut flowers...lasting for months...and years when dried.