Protea magnifica

Protea magnifica

Family: Proteaceae

Common names: Queen protea, queen sugarbush, bearded protea, wolbaardsuikerbos

It is indeed a variable protea, ranging from small erect trees of about 3m in height, to low sprawling shrubs among rocks and some that grow horizontally on the ground. Cultivated plants bought from nurseries generally grow into rounded bushes, ranging from 1.5-2.0m in height and 2-4m in diameter. The massive woolly flower head is large and cup-shaped, and measures 150-160mm long and 150mm across. In nature the color range of the outer floral bracts is broad, including greenish cream, cream, pink, salmon pink, rosy reds and deep carmine. The bract beards are variable in color and density. They may be white, purple-black or tawny brown with the central tip being black, tawny brown or even white.

Sowing instructions: Sow the seeds in autumn into well-drained soil and lightly cover with sand or fine-milled bark and keep moist. Once the seeds start to develop their first true leaves, transplant them into individual containers.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: February 2025