{"product_id":"pink-ice-protea-protea-hybrid-pink-ice","title":"Pink Ice Protea - Protea hybrid 'Pink Ice'","description":"\u003cp\u003ePink Ice Protea (\u003cem\u003eProtea\u003c\/em\u003e hybrid 'Pink Ice', a cross between \u003cem\u003eProtea neriifolia\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eProtea susannae\u003c\/em\u003e) 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour when the garden is quiet.\u003c\/strong\u003e The soft, velvety flowerheads open in autumn and winter, when few shrubs of this size are in bloom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA classic cut flower.\u003c\/strong\u003e The compact oval flowerheads have the true florist shape, so you can cut stems for the house.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandsome foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e New leaves are flushed red on pink stems, so the plant has interest between flowerings as well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eResilient once established.\u003c\/strong\u003e It tolerates a light frost and drought spells and needs little extra water, which suits low water use gardens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood for nectar feeding birds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Nectar rich flowerheads draw honeyeaters and other nectar feeding birds into the garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature shrub.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative style borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e It sits comfortably beside banksias, grevilleas and waratahs, relatives from the same plant family, and shares their liking for sun and sharp drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal and low water gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sunny, free draining coastal and poolside positions suit it, as long as the soil is not limey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Pink Ice Protea in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Well drained, acidic soil that is low in pH suits it best. Avoid lime, and avoid fertilisers high in phosphorus, which can harm proteas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/leucadendrons\"\u003eLeucadendrons, relatives of the protea\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003eDrought tolerant plants for low water gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-salt-tolerant-plants\"\u003eCoastal and salt tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/waterwise-garden-guide-sustainable-tips-and-plant-selections\"\u003eA waterwise garden guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Pink Ice protea frost hardy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it grow in humid climates?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat should I feed it with?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA slow release fertiliser that is low in phosphorus. Proteas are sensitive to phosphorus, so avoid general garden fertilisers, which often contain too much.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789628866879,"sku":"PRO-HYB-PINKIC-tube","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67789628899647,"sku":"PRO-HYB-PINKIC-140MM-P10","price":780.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67789628932415,"sku":"PRO-HYB-PINKIC-200MM-P6","price":406.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/pink-ice-protea-protea-hybrid-pink-ice.jpg?v=1792191901","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/pink-ice-protea-protea-hybrid-pink-ice","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}