Sugarbush Protea – Protea repens

Common Name: Sugarbush Protea

Botanical Name: Protea repens, pro-TEE-a REE-pens

Decorative Life: 10-20 days.

Flower Color: Orange, Pink, Red, White

Availability: Summer

• Member of the Proteaceae (protea family).
• Native of South Africa.
• Relatives include Grevillea, Leucodendron, Leucospermum and Banksia.

• Has numerous flowers in cone-shaped heads, 4-6 inches long, surrounded by stiff colored bracts.
• Stems with leathery leaves, cut to various lengths.
• Plant is an evergreen shrub, classed as a dicotyledon.
• Flowers are not fragrant.

32-34 F, provide light during storage to prevent leaf blackening.

• Named after Proteus, a Greek sea god with the power of prophecy. The specific epithet name repens means creeping.
• Flowers produce copious amounts of nectar, hence the common name “sugarbush”. The nectar was used medicinally to cure coughs and chest complaints in the 19th century.
• Sugarbush was the unofficial national flower of South Africa for 200 years but was displaced officially in 1976 when the King Protea (P. cynaroides) was designated the country’s national flower.
• Spectacular focal points in contemporary arrangements, the durable Protea will often bloom for several months.
• Suitable for drying. Leaves can turn black due to low light and especially due to lack of carbohydrate. Therefore, make sure a fresh flower food containing sugar is used.