Saturday, August 31, 2024
Summer Protea Pairings
Ready to add allure to your day and seasonal decor? You're in luck. With proteas turning a centerpiece into mesmerizing display is a breeze. Especially right now as they’re zooming into bloom, and there's so many amazing species to choose from. This arrangement features Eximias that flaunts lovely shades of pink and burgundy, and Prionotes that boasts a bend of cream and orange. Both protea and banksia pair perfectly with vivid Leucadendron Safari Sunset and delicate flowering gum tree. And, for a textural touch a few stems of Grevillea Ivanhoe and Honey Myrtle are mingled into the fusion.
The results make for a spirited arrangement with a energetic-feel and put a summer twist on these amazing botanicals.
Eximia, which means distinguished, is sometimes called rosespoon, ray-flowered protea, and broad-leaf sugarbush. A large, colorful protea with spoon-shaped bracts of reddish-pink and soft central dome exposing a purplish wine color.
Prionotes or also called Acorn Banksia, Orange Banksia or Orange Frost. An acorn-shaped banksia in cream and orange hues that evolves from a small silvery-white bud. Its long stem and long, slender foliage contribute to its stunning texture.
There’s no doubt Safari Sunset is the most well-known leucadendron. This New Zealand raised hybrid cultivar, this mix of L. Laureolum x L. Salignum brings a rich look to floral designs.
The gum tree or flowering eucalyptus is one of the most recognized Australian plants. Many varieties of gum not only produce lush greens, in summer they flower too. They’re not typical flowers though, as these showy blooms are made up mostly of anthers and styles, rather than petals.
Friday, August 30, 2024
How to Grow and Care for Proteas
Did you know California is one of five Mediterranean-climate regions on the earth where proteas are grown? It’s true! And autumn tends to be the ideal planting time as plants gain maximum sun exposure without it being too hot. Here are a few growing tips to get your fall planting started.
- More sun means more flowers, so be sure to plant them in a sunny location where the air flows freely around the plant.
- Raised beds and sunny slopes are best as water runoff decreases drainage problems.
- Proteas flourish in sandy, acidic, well-drained and rocky soils.
- Dig a hole twice the size of the pot the plant came in. Be sure to break up the soil that is removed from the hole to soften its texture.
- Never disturb the soil around the roots.
- Water deeply once a week for the first two years after planting.
- Apply mulch like bark or wood chips around the plant (a slight distance from the stem) as it helps control weed growth and keeps the soil cool.
- Fertilizers are not necessary as proteas grow naturally in very nutrient-poor soils.
Wondering how to prune your protea plants to keep them happy and ensure a bountiful harvest once they’re established? First, be sure to pick the flowers as it’s the best way to keep plants neat and compact. Remove the blooms with a good length of stem, leaving new growth behind. To encourage bushy growth… prune only the flowered stems as the un-flowered stems are next season’s blooms.