Protea repens
Sugar Bush
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Protea genus in the family Proteaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Proteaceae
- Genus
- Protea
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 2.5 m
- Spread
- 2.5 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The nectar from the flowers is consumed directly or made into a delicious syrup[3].
- Product or use
- Nectar
Environment
- Range
- S. Africa - Cape Province
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in individual pots in a greenhouse. See notes above on soil requirements. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood. July/August in a frame[4].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a very well-drained light soil[1][2], preferably on the poor side[4], with plenty of humus and sand[1]. Requires a pH of 6.5 or lower[4]. Plants are very sensitive to nitrates and phosphates in the soil, these can prove toxic even at moderate levels[4]. Plants may also suffer from magnesium deficiency[4]. Requires a position with good air circulation[1][2], but sheltered from cold winds[4]. Dislikes warm sultry or windless days[1][2]. Requires full exposure to the sun[4]. Not very hardy in Britain, but they can be grown outdoors in selected areas. Plants tolerate temperatures down to about -6°c, although prolonged frosts, or frosts combined with cold dry winds will cause damage[2]. They are best grown in a cool greenhouse, but plants can be placed outdoors in the summer[1]. A very ornamental plant[1]. A good bee plant, providing an abundance of nectar[5]. Dislikes root disturbance[1].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
RHS. The Garden. Volume 113. Royal Horticultural Society 1988-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00