Pink Ice Protea

Pink Ice Protea (Protea hybrid 'Pink Ice', a cross between Protea neriifolia and Protea susannae) is a large, woody feature shrub of about 2.5m high and 2m wide. Deep rose-pink flowerheads with white-fringed petals open through autumn and winter, over long, leathery leaves that flush red when new. It is more adaptable and easygoing than most proteas, which makes it a sensible first one to try.

Why you'll love it

• Colour when the garden is quiet. The soft, velvety flowerheads open in autumn and winter, when few shrubs of this size are in bloom.
• A classic cut flower. The compact oval flowerheads have the true florist shape, so you can cut stems for the house.
• Handsome foliage. New leaves are flushed red on pink stems, so the plant has interest between flowerings as well.
• Resilient once established. It tolerates a light frost and drought spells and needs little extra water, which suits low water use gardens.
• Good for nectar feeding birds. Nectar rich flowerheads draw honeyeaters and other nectar feeding birds into the garden.

Where it works best

Feature shrub. Give it room as a stand-alone shrub, allowing 2m between plants. Keep the ground around the base open, because good air movement helps prevent fungal problems.

Native style borders. It sits comfortably beside banksias, grevilleas and waratahs, relatives from the same plant family, and shares their liking for sun and sharp drainage.

Large pots. A big container of free draining, acidic mix suits it on a sunny courtyard or deck, and keeps drainage under your control in wetter climates.

Coastal and low water gardens. Sunny, free draining coastal and poolside positions suit it, as long as the soil is not limey.

Growing Pink Ice Protea in Australia

Position and climate. Plant in full sun. It tolerates a light frost, so it suits Mediterranean and warm temperate gardens and milder cool temperate ones; give it shelter where heavy frost is likely. Proteas resent long, humid, wet summers, so in the humid subtropics plant on a raised mound.

Soil. Well drained, acidic soil that is low in pH suits it best. Avoid lime, and avoid fertilisers high in phosphorus, which can harm proteas.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly for the first 4 to 6 weeks, or until the plant is established. After that it is drought tolerant and needs extra water only in dry spells. Feed with a slow release fertiliser that is low in phosphorus.

Pruning. Picking flowers on long stems doubles as pruning; cut back to just above a healthy leafy shoot. Avoid cutting into bare, leafless wood, from which proteas often fail to reshoot.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Pink Ice Protea as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical way to plant several, and the 200mm pots already carry the shape of a woody little shrub. Expect a young plant without flowers, and allow time for the first flowering. Plant promptly in a sunny, well drained position.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Leucadendrons, relatives of the protea
• Drought tolerant plants for low water gardens
• Coastal and salt tolerant plants
• A waterwise garden guide

Common questions

Is Pink Ice protea frost hardy?

It tolerates a light frost once established. In districts with heavy or regular hard frosts, plant it in a sheltered position or grow it in a large pot you can move.

Will it grow in humid climates?

It is harder. Proteas dislike long, humid, wet summers because their roots rot in constantly moist soil. In the humid subtropics, plant on a raised mound with sharp drainage, or grow it in a pot.

What should I feed it with?

A slow release fertiliser that is low in phosphorus. Proteas are sensitive to phosphorus, so avoid general garden fertilisers, which often contain too much.