The flowers can be wide open, like dinner plates, or narrowly funnel shaped. All rights reserved. While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The king protea blooms at different times throughout the year depending on habitat and climate, according to the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Borne at the tips of thick reddish stems, the ravishing blossoms cover the leathery foliage of elliptic, dark green, glossy leaves.
Somewhat leathery, rounded to elliptic, glossy, dark green leaves grow to 5 1/2" long.Genus name honors the Greek sea-god, Proteus, with the power of assuming a diversity of shapes a reference to the diversity within the genus.Specific epithet means "like Cynara" (artichoke genus) in reference to the artichoke-like appearance of the flower heads.King protea is the national flower of South Africa. King Protea is an adaptable shrub that is perfect for the sunny, well-drained garden or as a container specimen. Plants grown under glass may require pruning to restrict growth. The king protea, or protea cynaroides, grows throughout the southern parts of South Africa and has a number of different colours and leaf shapes across varying subspecies. It is prized worldwide as a magnificent cut flower. We use cookies on this website, you can read about them here. Our generation has the privilege of being able to see it.”. Deer resistant. Any other use, in particular any reproduction, communication to the public or distribution of the content of this website, in whole or in part, for any other purpose and/or by any other means, without a specific licence agreement signed with AFP, is strictly prohibited.

across (15-30 cm). the blog faq’s stockists careers contact Examples can be seen here, here and here. Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device. AFP has not obtained any rights from the authors or copyright owners of this third party content and shall incur no liability in this regard. across (15-30 cm). White King Protea looks stunning in the garden, on the patio and in flower arrangements. Protea cynaroides, the king protea, is a flowering plant.It is a distinctive member of Protea, having the largest flower head in the genus. It is … The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. The species is also known as giant protea, honeypot or king sugar bush.It is widely distributed in the southwestern and southern parts of South Africa in the fynbos region. Users can access and consult this website and use the share features available for personal, private, and non-commercial purposes. Create spectacular spring borders like this one. Google image search for “white king protea flower bud”, South African National Biodiversity Institute. Greenhouse plant in colder areas. Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall and wide (90-120 cm). Protea cynaroides, commonly called king protea, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that is native to South Africa. Bloom Description: Red to pink to creamy white. It is also the country’s national flower. To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of our site. The flowers can be wide open, like dinner plates, or narrowly funnel shaped. It typically matures to 3-4' (less frequently to 6') tall. It typically matures to 3-4' (less frequently to 6') tall. Each spectacular flower head features a central bouquet of inner flowers surrounded by stiff, pointed, colorful bracts. It is best known for its huge goblet or bowl-shaped flower heads from 5" to 12" in diameter. The text superimposed on the image reads in part: “Himalayan flowers that only flowers [sic] every 400 years.

If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas. Copyright AFP 2017-2020. Cookies, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, An Eye-Catching Mediterranean Garden with Agave, Aloe and Pincushion, A Striking Water-Wise Border with Agave, Cactus and Ocotillo, Eye Catching Retaining Walls and Staircases, An Eye-Catching Spring Border with Allium, Sword-Lilies and Grasses, A Spectacular Spring Border Idea with Brilliant Tulips and Cotinus, A Four-Season Border with Evergreen Conifers and Japanese Maples, A Cheerful Winter Border Idea with Hellebores and Cyclamens. In its native habitat, King Protea blooms primarily in the warmer months, but sporadically throughout the year. By Hurly D'souza,  Chameleons Eye, Shutterstock. Prune in late winter or early spring. Best with moderate amounts of water once established. Collectively they have been shared tens of thousands of times on the platform. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. Protea cynaroides, commonly called king protea, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that is native to South Africa. Accept

The king protea, so called because of its resemblance to a crown, is the largest of all proteas and is found in the Cape Floristic region. Join now and start creating your dream garden! A screenshot of the Facebook post, taken October 15, 2020. All rights reserved. Their color ranges from greenish-white through silky silvery pinks to reds. It has been shared more than 180 times. Propagate by seed sown at 55-65°F (13-18°C) when ripe or in spring, or take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. A reverse image search found the same image published here on a Chinese blog about the South African white king protea flower. In its native habitat, flower heads will bloom sporadically throughout the year, but primarily in the warmer months. Note this is the default cart. To use the website as intended please  Similar Facebook posts were published to Facebook, here, here, here and here. The national flower of South Africa, Protea cynaroides (King Protea) is a sparsely branched evergreen shrub prized for its huge bowl-shaped flower heads, 6-12 in. Each flower head consists of a large, domed, central mass of tepaled inner flowers subtended and surrounded by stiff, pointed, showy bracts ranging in color from red, to pink to creamy white. The flower appears on South African birth certificates and passports, as well as on the South African 5-Rand coin, and the Proteas, South Africa’s cricket team, also took its name from the genus. Vigorous plants produce 6-10 flower heads in one season, although some exceptional plants can produce up to 40 flower heads on one plant. No known serious insect or disease problems. AFP and its logo are registered trademarks. Keep an eye out for chlorosis (magnesium deficiency). The national flower of South Africa, Protea cynaroides (King Protea) is a sparsely branched evergreen shrub prized for its huge bowl-shaped flower heads, 6-12 in. Ornamental flowering shrub or garden specimen in frost free areas. Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. The King Protea is the most popular variety, having one of the largest flower heads in the protea family. Copyright AFP 2017-2020. Deleting this collection CANNOT be undone. The subject matter depicted or included via links within the Fact Checking content is provided to the extent necessary for correct understanding of the verification of the information concerned. Winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-10 where it is typically grown in acidic, poor to average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. The king protea, or protea cynaroides, grows throughout the southern parts of South Africa and has a number of different colours and leaf shapes across varying subspecies. Only plants will be removed from the collection. Generally pest free. While a single Japanese maple can provide a striking focal... Low care, Hellebores and Cyclamen are invaluable additions... Use our interactive toolsto design your dream garden. Produces magnificent fresh cut or dried flowers.

The claim was shared to Facebook by a Fiji-based user here. Each spectacular flower head features a central bouquet of inner flowers surrounded by stiff, pointed, colorful bracts. The flowers are visited by nectar feeding birds and by bees and beetles, but it is the birds that pollinate the flowers. A Google image search for “white king protea flower bud” also found multiple other images that show similar or exactly the same flower that is seen in the Facebook post and the Chinese blog post. It is best known for its huge goblet or bowl-shaped flower heads from 5" to 12" in diameter.