Secrets_to_Sucess_with_Proteas

Proteaflora Nursery Pty Ltd
204 Old Emerald Road, PO Box 252,
Monbulk, Victoria 3793. Australia
Phone (General)
Phone (Sales)
Fax
Email
03 9751 9933
03 9571 9999
03 9756 6948
info@proteaflora.com.au
for information on our range please visit
Secrets to Success
with Proteas
www.proteaflora.com.au
Guide to getting the best out of Proteas in your garden
Welcome to Proteaflora
Our Guarantee
Each Proteaflora plant is of the
highest-possible quality. Proteaflora’s
award-winning nursery and expert
staff oversee every step of a plant’s
production to ensure it.
This is the Proteaflora guarantee.
Furthermore, Proteaflora assures
customers that all plants are
grown under environmentallyfriendly conditions, have low water
requirements and are non-invasive.
Proteaflora’s comprehensive catalogue
of plants gives a wide selection of
varieties to cover countless uses,
including hedges, borders, cut
flowers and patio plants. Additionally,
Proteaflora has plants to satisfy
all garden types, from inner-city
backyards to broad-acre coastal
gardens.
Proteaflora packages exceptional
customer service with outstanding
product. To ensure continuous
improvement, Proteaflora welcomes
all feedback and if you have any
questions about the plant you have
purchased, you can contact the place
of purchase or alternatively visit
the Proteaflora website at
www.proteaflora.com.au
ISBN: 978-0-9595405-8-1
If there’s one
thing Proteaflora
understands, it’s
the Protea family
of plants. After all,
it’s in our name!
Founded by the late Peter Mathews in 1974 to be a specialist
supplier of quality proteaceae, Proteaflora has cultivated a legacy
of expert knowledge over three decades to become the market
leader in the selection and breeding of Proteas specific
to Australian gardens.
Built upon a framework developed by a team of experts, and
espousing the highest levels of sales support and customer service,
Proteaflora’s comprehensive catalogue offers a selection of plants
carefully chosen to match a plethora of contrasting landscape
solutions.
From hedge plants to ground cover, Proteaflora plants marry
striking beauty with the resilience to thrive in even the
toughest conditions.
Protea Benefits
Few plants are as well-suited
to the unforgiving dryness of
the modern Australian garden
as Proteas. Robust and tolerant
in low-water environments,
Proteas require little
maintenance – they don’t need
feeding, are easy to prune,
don’t shed leaves and don’t
use much water.
Furthermore, Proteaflora
plants produce spectacular,
long-lasting cut flowers, making
them an ideal choice for all
garden types, from urban
courtyard sanctuaries
to expansive native landscapes
and beyond, all the while
providing a befitting habitat
for native birds and bees.
Pruning Advice
Heard about pruning
but don’t know where
to begin?
Don’t worry, we’re
here to help.
Pruning is important for a range of reasons. Firstly, it enables
gardeners to shape their plants. Secondly, pruning encourages
regrowth and will keep plants looking great, year after year.
R
d on for
f information
f
b
Read
about
pruning specific varieties, and
remember to always use sharp
secateurs:
season. When pruning older
Proteas that have been
neglected, never remove more
than half of the plant’s leaf
area, and ensure at least 15cm
of healthy green leaves remain
on all cut stems.
4. S
Serrurias
be pruned
4
i can b
d
two ways: either cut the fresh
flowers, or remove them
immediately after flowering.
Leave about 5cm of healthy
stem from which the plant will
re-shoot.
3. After pruning, each cut
stem will produce two or
three flowering stems for next
season. As plants mature and
the number of stems increases,
the length of each stem often
shrinks. To produce longer
stems, thin the bush by
completely removing extra
stems from the centre of the
plant.
5. Cut all flowers, remove any
bent stems or stems growing
towards the ground, and trim
any non-flowering stems at the
same height as the flowering
ones. Each cut stem will flower
in the following year.
1. Leucadendron and
Leucospermum flower every
year. When all colour is gone,
remove the flowers by cutting
flower stems. Remember to
leave about 10cm of leafy stem.
Trim non-flowering stems to
the same height and remove
curly stems or those touching
the ground.
Ruby Blush
2. Protea and Telopea plants
are pruned in the same way
as Leucadendrons except that
non-flowering stems should
be left untouched – these are
the flowers for the following
Prune young bushes by trimming the tips in spring and late
summer. Prune older plants immediately after flowering, leaving
around 10cm of healthy stem.
6. After pruning, Serrurias
shoot fairly quickly. If you
require a compact plant with
shorter flower stems, tip prune
the plant when the new growth
is 10cm to 15cm long.
Gardening Ideas
Proteas are drought-tolerant, require little maintenance and enjoy the same conditions as many
native plants. This means they offer the perfect solution for water-restricted gardens, acclimatise well
to the harsh, Australian native landscape and are equally satisfied in small and large garden areas.
In addition to generating spectacular cut flowers, Proteas also provide year-round colour and rich
foliage, giving gardeners a limitless array of decorative options to meet all garden types.
Here are a few design ideas to get you started:
Hedges and screens:
Protea varieties that grow
above two metres can be
used to create hedges with
little ongoing maintenance.
Plants simply need to be
shaped in their early years
and they will lend an elegant
structure to any hedge garden.
Recommendations include
Protea Special Pink Ice,
Leucadendron Safari Sunset
and the Leucospermum
“So” series.
Patios and verandas:
Small plants are usually
the first choice for patio
and veranda spaces, but
did you know there are also
many large-pot Protea types
that regularly outperform
expectations? To add a grand
presence to “al fresco” spots,
use Protea Little Prince,
Leucadendron Strawberry
Fair, Banksia Birthday Candles
and Leucospermum Calypso
Red varieties.
Flowers for all seasons:
Adding to the wonder of
Proteas is the tremendous
flexibility that comes from
using multiple varieties with
differing flowering seasons.
View our website for an
assortment of Protea types
that will produce beautiful
bursts of colour and flower
all year round. An example
of this might involve using
Banksia Birthday Candles
in the summer, Leucadendron
Red Devil in autumn, Protea
Possum Magic in the winter
and Leucospermum Rigoletto
in spring.
Border plants:
Great success can be had
in choosing smaller Protea
varieties as borders. Banksia
Birthday Candles are ideal,
growing to less than one metre,
while Leucospermum Calypso
Red and Leucadendron
Strawberry Fair also offer
marvellous potential. Simply
plant closely and prune to
shape.
Mass planting:
Create an immediate
impression by planting
large batches of the same
variety together for a
stunning seasonal sensation.
Particularly effective
with Leucadendron and
Leucospermum types, “mass
planting” is an impactful
approach for larger gardens
looking to make
a strong statement.
Coastal gardens:
Proteas thrive in well-draining,
low-nutrient soils and there
is an expansive range of
Proteaflora plants suited
perfectly to the sandy soil of
coastal gardens. Refer to our
website for recommended
varieties.
Strawberry Fair
FAQs
Q. Should I fertilise my Proteas?
A. Generally, Proteas are resilient plants that don’t require
feeding. If the soil happens to be poor quality and sandy
in nature, compost and a slow-release fertiliser suitable
for natives should stimulate growth.
Q. How fast do Proteas grow?
A. When pruned correctly, Proteas can double in size each
year for the first five years, reaching full size between six
and eight years.
Q. How often should I water my Protea?
A. Requiring little water, Proteas are considered “drought-tolerant”
plants; however, they do have higher demands in their first two
years of growth. Therefore, they should be watered at least
twice a week, rising to daily on hot days.
Q. Do Proteas prefer sun or shade?
A. Generally, all Proteaflora varieties will produce more flowers
when planted in the sun except for the Shady Lady Waratah
series, which enjoys a little shade.
Q. What mulch can I use?
A. Proteaflora uses pine bark or Eucalyptus mulch on our gardens. Bark that hasn’t been treated
with copper or other chemicals is ideal – even better if it hasn’t been composted! Aged pine
chips are also fine to use.
Q. Can I plant my Protea in a tub?
A. Yes, Proteas can be planted in tubs. To do so, use a container at least 250mm deep with acidic
potting mix that has no added fertiliser, and make sure it is a native mix. To assist with drainage,
keep the container off the ground and add a slow-releasing native fertiliser upon planting. Repeat
this each year.
Q. I have frosts. Will my Protea be ok?
A. All Proteaflora plants can handle light frosts of around -2 degrees. Some don’t even mind
if it gets as cold as -6 degrees.
Shady Lady® ‘White’ A
Q. Should I prune my Protea?
A. Yes. Proteas can be untidy if left unkempt so cut the flowers and give it a good tidy-up
once a year.
Why Proteas?
Proteas require little maintenance and watering, the Protea is ideal for those that don’t have a lot
of time to put into their plants but still want a beautiful garden. Proteas are hardy and provide large
spectacular flowers which have a long vase life and attract native birds.
Cream Mink
Honeyglow
Juliet
King White
Little Prince A
Venus
* Refer to selection chart for full variety listing.
King Pink
Why Leucadendrons?
Leucadendron are particularly interesting due to their vibrant foliage which changes colour
throughout the year. Their peak time is in autumn/winter when your garden can most use a burst of
bright colour. They are easy to care for and are well suited to the Australian landscape.
Amy
Cream Delight
Devils Blush
Harvest
Silver Tree
Inca Gold
* Refer to selection chart for full variety listing.
Summer Sun
Leucadendrons cont.
Red Devil
Jester A
Purple Haze
Red Devil
Safari Sunset
Senorita
Strawberry Fair
* Refer to selection chart for full variety listing.
Summer Sun
Winter Gold
Yellow Devil
Why Leucospermums?
Also known as ‘Pincushions’, Leucospermum have brightly coloured pin-cushion like flower heads
which are bound to draw attention. They thrive in well draining sandy soils making them ideal for
use in coastal areas and will attract birds to your garden.
Carnival® ‘Red’
Carnival® ‘Orange’ A
Calypso® ‘Red’
So® ‘Cheerful’
So® ‘Exquisite’
So® ‘Innocent’
* Refer to selection chart for full variety listing.
Mardi Gras Ribbons
Other Varieties
Proteaflora offers various other members of the Proteacae family including Serruria, Mimetes, and
Banksia Birthday Candles. They fit well in most gardens and landscapes from courtyards to large
properties and cover a range of sizes, colours and flowering times, so you’re sure to find something
that will suit your requirements.
Birthday Candles
Blushing Bride
Bronze Haze
Brunia Stokoei
Crackerjack™ ‘Red’
Pretty ‘n’ Pink A
* Refer to selection chart for full variety listing.
Brunia Stokoei
Why Waratahs?
The waratah is one of Australia’s most spectacular wildflower groups and is a member of the protea
family. They produce beautiful flowers during spring and attract native birds. They are also the only
member of the protea family that are able to thrive in semi-shade.
Braidwood Brilliant
Shady Lady® ‘Crimson’ A
Shady Lady® ‘Pink’
Shady Lady® ‘Red’
Shady Lady® ‘White’ A
Shady Lady® ‘Yellow’ A
* Refer to selection chart for full variety listing.
Shady Lady® ‘Red’ A
Plant Selection Chart
Drought
Tolerant
1
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
Neutral Alkaline
Coastal
3.5
1.5
2.0
Sandy/Rocky
Frosty
sp
sp
sp
Heavy
Height
3
3
3
Soil Type
Semi Shade
Flowering Time
Conditions
Bird Attracting
3
3
Specs
Container
Growing
Hedge/
Screening
3
Proteas
Honeyglow
Juliet
King Pink
King White
Little Prince A
Nana
Pink Ice
Pixie A
Possum Magic A
Red Baron
Ruby Blush
Special Pink Ice
Susara
Venus A
Cut Flowers
m
m
l
l
l
l
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
Uses
Neutral Alkaline
Drought
Tolerant
2.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.0
1.0
2.5
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
4.0
Sandy/Rocky
Coastal
a
w sp
sp
sp
a sp
w sp
aw
w sp
w sp
w
w
aw
aw
sp
Heavy
Frosty
3
3
3
3
3
Soil Type
Shade
Height (m)
Conditions
Flowering Time
Specs
Bird Attracting
Container
Growing
Hedge/
Screening
Cut Flowers
Uses
Leucospermums
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Leucadendrons
Carnival® ‘Coast’
Carnival® ‘Copper’
Carnival® ‘Orange’ A
Carnival® ‘Red’ A
Calypso® ‘Red’
Cordifolium
Mardi Gras®
‘Ribbons’
Mardi Gras® ‘Petite’
So® ‘Cheerful’
So® ‘Exquisite’
So® ‘Innocent’
So® ‘Sincere’
So® ‘Successful’
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
sp
1.5
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
su
sp
0.5
2.0
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
sp
2.0
m
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
sp
sp
sp
sp
sp
sp
1.5
2.5
2.5
2.0
2.0
2.0
1
m
l
l
l
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
0.6
m
3
3
2.0
1
3
3
3
3
au
sp
su
sp
w sp
su
w sp
sp
sp
2.0
1.0
1.5
1.0
3.0
3.0
m
m
1
m
m
m
3
3
sp
3.0
m
3
3
3
sp
3.0
m
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Other
3
3
3
Amy
Cream Delight
Devils Blush
Harvest
Inca Gold
Jester A
Purple Haze
Red Devil
Safari Magic
Safari Sunset
Senorita
Strawberry Fair
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Silver Tree
Summer Sun
Winter Gold
Yellow Devil
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
a sp 1.5
w sp 2.0
w
1.0
0.75
sp
w
1.5
a w 2.0
w sp 1.5
a w 1.5
a w 1.5
a w 2.5
w sp 1.5
sp
0.6
su
sp 10.0
sp
1.5
w
2.0
w
1.0
m
m
m
m
m
l
m
m
m
m
m
m
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
m
m
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Birthday Candles A
Bronze Haze
3
3
3
Braidwood Brilliant
Blushing Bride
Crackerjack ‘Red’™
Pretty ‘n’ Pink A
Shady Lady® ‘Pink’
Shady Lady® ‘Red’
Shady Lady®
‘Yellow’ A
Shady Lady®
‘White’ A
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Flowering Times:
Spring - sp
Summer - su
Frost Tolerance:
Moderate - m
Light - l
Select range available for WA, see your local retailer.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Autumn - au
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Winter - w
Proteaflora Nursery Pty Ltd
204 Old Emerald Road, PO Box 252,
Monbulk, Victoria 3793. Australia
Phone (General)
Phone (Sales)
Fax
Email
03 9751 9933
03 9571 9999
03 9756 6948
info@proteaflora.com.au
for information on our range please visit
Secrets to Success
with Proteas
www.proteaflora.com.au
Guide to getting the best out of Proteas in your garden