The Majestic Protea cynaroides

With petals like a crown and a presence that demands attention, the King Protea isn’t just a flower… it’s a whole vibe.

Known scientifically as Protea cynaroides, this bold beauty is the national flower of South Africa and for good reason. It’s the largest of all proteas, with a bloom that can reach the size of a 12” dinner plate (yes, really). Think spiky elegance meets soft strength… like if a cactus and a peony were cross-pollinated.

The King Protea is more than a visual wonder, it's loaded with symbolic meaning. Named after Proteus, the shapeshifting sea god of Greek mythology, the flower represents transformation, courage, and the beauty of diversity.

 

In a way, the King reminds us to:

• Embrace change.
  
• Thrive in unexpected places. 
• And never be afraid to stand out.
  

Its ability to grow and bloom in harsh environments has made it a powerful emblem of resilience and renewal… qualities that resonate deeply in both personal journeys and cultural identity.

Fun Facts:

• It looks a bit like an artichoke. 
• It’s been around since the time of the dinosaurs. 
• Florists love it for bridal bouquets.

So, the next time you see one of these spiky stunners, take a moment to appreciate its fierce beauty and let it be a reminder that resilience can be fabulous.

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Discover The National Flower of South Africa:
The King Protea

South Africa is an incredible country with a wide range of climates, people, and animals, so it’s no surprise its national flower is the astonishing king protea. With a name like that, you know it’s going to be good! Let’s discover the national flower of South Africa: the king protea and why it symbolizes the South African nation so well.

What is the National Flower of South Africa?

The national flower of South Africa: the king protea is also called the sugarbush or the cape artichoke flower.

Read more here.

Fall Vibes: Protea Repens – Sugarbush

Protea repens, Sugarbush or Suikerbossie. It’s October and these beautiful blooms are starting to make their debut. The word Repens means "creeping" but there is nothing creeping about this protea, the majority of flowers have long stems and some even display multiple blooms. The open, funnel-shaped flowers range in colors from red to white + even two-tones with some that flare open in a very spectacular fashion. Amazingly, the process from a tight bud to an open flower takes six to eight weeks and the seed develops over the next seven months.

Repens could be considered the first protea. In 1774, it was cultivated under glass in the Royal Collection at Kew Gardens where, in 1780, it became the first protea ever to bloom in cultivation away from the Cape. Sugarbush was also considered South Africa's National Flower until 1976 when it was replaced by the Protea King.

The name Sugarbush comes from the abundance of nectar that these alluring flowers produce. In fact, in the 19th century, settlers in South Africa’s Cape Province collected the nectar to use medicinally (called bossiestroop) to cure coughs and chest complaints.

No need for a medicinal remedy? How about a mood booster? Sugarbush provides the perfect pick-me-up and will set the scene for special fall gatherings.

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!

Protea King Arctic Ice

A luxurious Protea King is the crowning glory of a design or bouquet - these chic beauties offer an enchanting world filled with color, texture, and sizes to try. But not all Kings are created equal. In fact, some varieties are so special, they take nearly a decade to create. Such is the case for the voguish Arctic Ice, a magnificent White King Protea which has proven to be one of the most popular cultivars of this coloring of the king protea. The large flower heads are almost dinner plate in size with serrated edges much like a king’s crown. A mature plant can reach up to 5 feet in height and produce up to 50 blooms a year.

The King Protea is the national flower of South Africa — but they have been grown commercially here in California for 50 years. If you’re as crazy about these majestic flowers as we are, we suggest spending a little time in this Cynaroides’ realm.

Protea Madiba

Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do. - Nelson Mandela

The true hero of South Africa. The man who fought for equal rights for all and a country that stands ‘United as One’. Nelson Mandela is one of the most influential, respected and loved men in South Africa. And, did you know he has made such an impact on South Africa and has such a legacy that he has a Protea named after him? South Africa’s national flower is the King Protea and there is a special vibrant red variety that is absolutely striking, and known to many by Mandela’s tribe name, Madiba.