Protea Repens

The famed Sugarbush or Suikerbossie, Protea repens, was South Africa's national flower until 1976. It got its common name, Sugarbush, from the abundance of nectar that the blooms produce. So much in fact that early settlers in South Africa’s Cape Province, collected the nectar and made syrup called “bossiestroop”. Cape sugarbirds are also very fond of the sweet nectar and can often be seen chasing one another as they feast from one bush to the next.

Sugarbush or Suikerbossie (Afrikaans) is also a term of endearment that could be translated as "sweetie". The song Suikerbossie ek wil jou he (Sugarbush, I want you so) was composed on Lion's Head in Cape Town and shows how sweet the Sugarbush must be to inspire such romance. Suikerbossie ek wil jou he is a traditional South African Barn Dance Song and this English version of the song eventually became an international hit.

SUGARBUSH, I WANT YOU SO:

Sugarbush, I want you so
Sugarbush, I want you so
Sugarbush, I want you so
What will your mother want to say.
Then like that, we'll walk under the moon
Then like that, we'll walk under the moon
Then like that, we'll walk under the moon
Together, my sugarbush and I.

Sugarbush are harvested here in California from autumn through early winter - so now's the time to make these beautiful blooms a part of your next arrangement or bouquet!