With their exotic flower heads and highly dramatic and colorful foliage, members of the family Proteaceae are gaining in popularity for their ease of culture and versatility in the garden. Here along the Pacific Coast, many gardeners face the challenges of cultivating plants which are capable of withstanding howling winds, salt air, summer drought, thick fog and grazing deer. Not only will some of these plants willingly accept these harsh coastal conditions, others will flourish inland, in areas with hotter summers and cold winter rains. Many varieties tolerate frost quite well, while others will even handle snow. All the plants in this category, which we offer, are seed-grown (unless stated otherwise), and are superior to those that are propagated from cuttings, which are the type generally available on the market. Though cutting-grown plants may be larger initially, seed-grown plants will generally last longer in the garden, as cutting-grown plants may only survive for, perhaps, 7-10 years before they need replacing, where seed-grown plants may last much longer. Many varieties naturally have what is known as a "lignotuber", which is an underground trunk or swollen root. The varieties which have a lignotuber are very long lasting, and naturally tolerate freezes, as well as fires, quite well. Cutting-grown plants generally don't form lignotubers, and may also, therefore, be less hardy. CULTIVATION INSTRUCTIONS ARE INCLUDED WITH EVERY PROTEACEAE ORDER. (Pictured: Protea cynaroides 'Summer') |