Big flowers on small Protea plants.
If you are looking for a bird attracting plant with big flowers for a small space, then a Dwarf Protea could be the answer.
Up until recently Proteas were seen as large plants and not suited to smaller gardens, today smaller growing or ‘Dwarf Proteas’ are becoming available.
These new varieties will reach around 1 metres (3ft) in height with a similar spread. Some varieties around half this.
They flower over a long period, including both spring and autumn. They tolerate coastal conditions
Varieties
- White Crown is one of the smallest, it will get around 50 cm and makes a great container plant. The flowers are pure white, and it has good mid green foliage.
- Pink Crown is similar in habit although slightly taller than the above except with pink flowers as the name suggests.
- Little Prince is taller growing, to around 1 metre, very attractive pink flowers.
Care
All varieties like a slightly acidic soil, and good drainage is essential. In the garden, hill up the soil if water logging, or heavy clay soils are a problem. In containers use a potting mix that is on the acidic side and is free draining.
These smaller growing Proteas thrive in full sun to a little shade. They do not flower well in deep shade.
They are a drought tolerant plant, and in the garden, once established they need very little extra water except in long dry periods. In containers you will need to water more often, waiting until the soil dries between watering.
Pruning is limited to the removal of spent flower heads. This is also a good time to prune back a little if the plant is not on the tidy side.