Bruce’s dream bonus
If it’s not warm enough to grow proteas outdoors, bring the wow factor inside, writes David Overend.
Proteas are mostly evergreen shrubs and trees, and most are half-hardy, so they tend to be a rare sight here – unless you live in a sheltered spot down South. But that doesn’t stop Northern folk wanting – and attempting – to grow them, with mixed results. And yet Robert the Bruce never gave up, so try, try and try again and you could be rewarded with one of the world’s most stunning flowers.
For example, take pincushion proteas (Leucospermum) which grow to be quite drought tolerant but take a bit of time to get their act together. So, water immediately after planting and regularly thereafter to keep the soil damp. In most loamy garden soils, watering two or three times a week in hot weather should be enough.
Leucospermum cordifolium can be grown in the UK. You’ll just need to offer protection in winter (wrap the plant in horticultural fleece and pray that the temperature doesn’t plummet) or grow it in a big container, which you should be able to move indoors in autumn.
It’s a plant that needs a well-drained, nutrient-poor, acidic soil and a spot in full sun. Its roots grow mostly horizontally, just below the surface of the soil so if water is allowed to sit and pool, those roots will become waterlogged and the plant will die. A mulch is a useful addition.
While proteas look wonderful outdoors, they have become fashionable as indoor attractions. Fresh cut flowers can be maintained by regularly cutting 1-2cm off the bottom of the stems and frequently changing the water. For best results, add a quarter-teaspoon of household bleach to every litre of fresh water.
For dried arrangements, flowers can be hung upside down in a dark place with some air circulation.
Proteas are named after the sea god, Poseidon, who supposedly could change his shape at will, and come in an enormous variety of shapes, sizes (from shrubs to tall trees), hues and textures. They are also known as sugarbushes, because of the excessive amount of nectar that the flowers produce.