{"product_id":"protea-king-cynaroides","title":"Protea cynaroides: The Majestic King Protea, a Crown Jewel of the Garden","description":"\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n.shopify-table {\n  width: 100%;\n  border-collapse: collapse;\n  margin-bottom: 20px;\n}\n.shopify-table th,\n.shopify-table td {\n  border: 1px solid #e6e6e6;\n  padding: 8px;\n  text-align: left;\n}\n.shopify-table th {\n  background-color: #f5f5f5;\n}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e👑 \u003cstrong\u003eProtea cynaroides\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size:0.9em; font-weight:400;\"\u003eKing Protea\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProtea cynaroides\u003c\/strong\u003e, universally known as the \u003cstrong\u003eKing Protea\u003c\/strong\u003e, is the most iconic member of the genus and the national flower of South Africa. Renowned for producing the largest flower heads of any Protea, this extraordinary evergreen shrub features massive, bowl‑shaped blooms framed by thick, pointed bracts in soft silvery pinks, blush tones, creamy whites, or rich red hues. The result is a dramatic, sculptural flower with unmistakable presence, prized worldwide for its bold beauty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHighly sought after for both \u003ca href=\"\/fr\/collections\/protea\"\u003eornamental planting and premium cut‑flower use\u003c\/a\u003e, Protea cynaroides thrives in warm, dry climates with full sun and excellent drainage. Its thick, leathery dark‑green foliage provides year‑round structure, while its naturally drought‑tolerant habit makes it exceptionally well suited to Mediterranean, coastal, and water‑wise landscapes. Few plants deliver the same level of visual impact and botanical prestige.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBotanical Characteristics of Protea cynaroides\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ctable class=\"shopify-table\"\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003cth\u003eCharacteristic\u003c\/th\u003e\n      \u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eProtea cynaroides\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name(s)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eKing Protea, Giant Protea, Honeypot, King Sugarbush\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eEvergreen shrub with thick stems and an open, architectural form\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eLarge, oval, thick, leathery dark‑green leaves\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers \/ Bracts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eHuge, upward‑facing flower heads with pointed bracts; colors range from silvery pink to cream, red, or blush\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eTypically 6–12 inches wide\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering Season\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eVariable; most commonly late winter through spring in mild climates\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eLargest Protea flowers, long vase life, iconic sculptural form\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMature Size and Form\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e• \u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–6 ft (occasionally larger in ideal conditions)\u003cbr\u003e\n• \u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–6 ft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eProtea cynaroides forms a bold, low‑to‑medium sized shrub with thick flowering stems and excellent structural balance. Consistent post‑bloom tip pruning helps encourage branching and future flowering. Detailed pruning advice can be found in our \u003ca href=\"\/fr\/blogs\/garden-journey\/protea-care-guide\"\u003eProtea Care Guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zones\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZones 9–11\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKing Protea performs best in regions with mild winters, abundant sunshine, and low humidity. Protection from prolonged cold and winter wet is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCultivation and Care for Protea cynaroides\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003ctable class=\"shopify-table\"\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003cth\u003eAspect\u003c\/th\u003e\n      \u003cth\u003eCare Instructions\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eFull sun for strongest growth and optimal flowering\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eFast‑draining, sandy or rocky soil; slightly acidic preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eLow once established; deep, infrequent irrigation only\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eAvoid phosphorus‑rich fertilizers; use low‑P or native plant formulas\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eRemove spent blooms; prune only green growth, not old woody stems\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nHelpful resources for successful establishment:\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/fr\/blogs\/garden-journey\/quick-tip-caring-for-a-newly-unboxed-protea-in-humid-conditions\"\u003e\nQuick Tip: Caring for a Newly Unboxed Protea in Humid Conditions\n\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/fr\/blogs\/garden-journey\/protea-care-guide\"\u003e\nComplete Protea Care Guide\n\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLandscape Use and Benefits of Protea cynaroides\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n• Commanding specimen plant with unmatched floral impact\u003cbr\u003e\n• Ideal for Mediterranean, coastal, and drought‑tolerant landscapes\u003cbr\u003e\n• One of the world’s most prized premium cut flowers\u003cbr\u003e\n• Evergreen foliage provides strong year‑round structure\u003cbr\u003e\n• Pairs beautifully with \n\u003ca href=\"\/fr\/collections\/leucadendron\"\u003eLeucadendrons\u003c\/a\u003e, \n\u003ca href=\"\/fr\/collections\/leucospermum\"\u003eLeucospermums\u003c\/a\u003e, \n\u003ca href=\"\/fr\/collections\/banksia\"\u003eBanksias\u003c\/a\u003e, \n\u003ca href=\"\/fr\/collections\/grevillea\"\u003eGrevilleas\u003c\/a\u003e, and ornamental grasses\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWildlife Attraction\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe large, nectar‑rich flowers attract birds and pollinating insects, contributing ecological value to suitable garden settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePest and Disease Considerations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eProtea cynaroides is generally long‑lived and resilient when grown correctly. Potential issues include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\n• Root rot caused by poor drainage or overwatering\u003cbr\u003e\n• Nutrient stress from phosphorus‑heavy fertilizers\u003cbr\u003e\n• Leaf browning or spotting in humid, stagnant conditions\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExcellent drainage, airflow, and restrained irrigation are essential to long‑term plant health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Bonte Farm","offers":[{"title":"5-gallon (10x10x24” - 36”)","offer_id":45724656894187,"sku":"GPKC5","price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0673\/2483\/8123\/files\/Protea-King-_-protea-cynaroides-Bonte-Farm-193451713.jpg?v=1776656461","url":"https:\/\/bontefarm.com\/fr\/products\/protea-king-cynaroides","provider":"Bonte Farm","version":"1.0","type":"link"}