| |
Protea
longifolia also know as Longleaf sugar bush, is from the
Proteaceae family. Native of southern Africa. It is
mostly found on low mountain slopes. Fast growing in a
coastal habitat.
It is evergreen with leathery texture, long narrow,
upward-curving leaves. Its pattern of making new leaves
in the heat of summer is a special feature of this protea.
From April to October, it starts producing new growths,
right after the flowering season. In this, they are
totally out of synchrony with all other Fynbos plants.
It appears that the deep roots of the protea allow them
to tap water even in the heat of summer. All parts of
this plant are poisonous if ingested.
This species flowers intermittently from autumn to the
following spring, providing winter interest. Winter
flowers have creamy white/pink/green bracts with large
woolly cone knob in the middle. The flower heads are
stunning. They are pollinated by Sunbirds and Sugarbirds,
and attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.
Hardiness zone: 9 (-5ºC/25ºF) in winter. Must grow in
well drained, slightly acid, gravely soil in a sunny,
airy position. Will benefit from a deep mulch of pine
needles.
|
|
