What size and type of Protea 'Pink Ice' plants do you offer, and how big will they get in my garden?

Bonte Farm offers Protea 'Pink Ice' in 1-gallon, 3-gallon, and 5-gallon container sizes. These sizes refer to the volume of the pot, which gives you an idea of the plant's age and establishment—larger sizes typically mean a fuller, more mature shrub that's closer to blooming size. When planted in suitable conditions, Protea 'Pink Ice' will grow to about 6-8 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide, making it a stunning feature in your landscape.

What care does Protea 'Pink Ice' need to thrive, and is it hard to grow if I’m new to gardening?

Protea 'Pink Ice' is surprisingly low-maintenance once established, making it a great choice even for less experienced gardeners. It needs full sun (at least 6 hours daily), well-draining acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5), and should be watered deeply but allowed to dry out between waterings. Once the plant is established, it is drought-tolerant and resilient. For best results, avoid high-phosphorus fertilizers and prune lightly after flowering. With these simple care steps, you'll enjoy its exotic blooms for years.

Is Protea 'Pink Ice' available year-round, and what should I know about availability or seasonal shipping?

Protea 'Pink Ice' is a specialty plant, and availability at Bonte Farm can vary with the season and demand. It's most often available in spring and early summer when conditions are ideal for planting. If it's out of stock, you can join our notification list to get updated as soon as it's restocked. For best results, we recommend planting during mild weather and not during periods of frost, as this protea prefers warmer temperatures and can be sensitive to freezing.

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Bonte Farm

Protea 'Pink Ice': Cold-Hardy, Silvery-Pink Protea Live Plants

$55.00 USD

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❄️ Protea 'Pink Ice': The Silvery-Pink, Cold-Hardy Beauty

The Protea 'Pink Ice' is a widely known and highly reliable proteacae hybrid plant. It is praised for its remarkable tolerance to cold and its elegant, eye-catching blooms. This evergreen shrub is a cross between P. nerifolia and P. compacta, combining the strongest traits from both parents. Abundant, elongated, cone-shaped flowers appear in a lovely silvery-pink shade. The flower base color intensifies and is often tipped with a delicate white or black beard.

This cultivar adapts superbly and serves as a low-maintenance specimen in diverse gardens. It thrives in Mediterranean climates, coastal areas, and stylish landscape designs. The plant stands out for its robustness and drought resistance. Additionally, it produces long-lasting cut flowers with sturdy stems. It also attracts hummingbirds as a dependable nectar source.

Botanical Characteristics of Protea 'Pink Ice'

Characteristic	Detail
Scientific Name	Protea 'Pink Ice' (Hybrid Cultivar)
Common Names	Pink Ice Protea, Cold-Hardy Protea.
Growth Habit	A sturdy, upright evergreen shrub with a dense, rounded, and naturally bushy habit.
Foliage	Features slender, dark green, needle-like leaves densely arranged along the stems, similar to P. nerifolia.
Flowers	Medium to large, elongated, cone-shaped flower heads (bracts), typically 5–7 inches long. The colors range from bright silvery-pink to deep rose, often tipped with white or dark hues.
Flowering Season	Known for its prolific and extended blooming, typically from late fall through spring. This brings vital cool-season color to landscapes.
Cut Flower Use	High-quality, professional cut flower appreciated for straight stems and excellent longevity in floral arrangements.

Mature Size and Landscape Impact

This substantial shrub offers excellent screening and structural presence in gardens. Typical height ranges from 6 to 8 feet (1.8–2.4 meters).

Its spread matches its height, with a dense and manageable width of 6 to 8 feet (1.8–2.4 meters). This size is perfect for informal hedges or dramatic garden backdrops.

Height: Typically reaches between 6 and 8 feet (1.8–2.4 meters) tall.
Spread: Dense, manageable width of 6 to 8 feet (1.8–2.4 meters).
Ideal dimensions for creating structural informal hedges or striking garden backdrops.

USDA Hardiness Zone Suitability

This hybrid plant enjoys enhanced cold tolerance. It is suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 8b to 11. It grows well in mild, nearly frost-free coastal and Mediterranean regions.

This species tolerates light to moderate frosts better than other protea species. It demands full sun to perform at its best.

Cultivation and Care for Protea 'Pink Ice'

Aspect	Care Instructions
Sunlight	Requires full sun with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Air circulation helps promote strong stems and abundant flowers.
Soil	Essential: Prefers perfectly drained, acidic soils, with pH between 5.0 and 6.0. Thrives in sandy, gritty, low-nutrient soil and avoids heavy wet clay.
Water	Very drought-tolerant once established. Deep watering is necessary only during first year. Avoid excess summer watering to prevent damage.
Fertilizer	Crucial: Avoid all phosphorus fertilizers. Plants of the proteacae family are highly sensitive to phosphorus. Use specialized low-phosphorus formulas or refrain from fertilizing.
Pruning	Mandatory: Heavily harvest flowers, cutting stems back into leafy shrub parts. This encourages fresh growth and maximum blooming.

Landscape Use and Wildlife Attraction

Cold-Hardy Choice: Suitable for areas with occasional light frost where other protea plants struggle.
Specimen Plant: Serves as a vibrant focal point, delivering beautiful color and texture.
Cut Flower Garden: Cultivated for reliable, professional quality floral stems.
Xeriscape Design: A low-water, low-fertility plant ideal for arid and Mediterranean-style gardens.

The flowers produce abundant sweet nectar, attracting many nectar-feeding birds. These birds act as primary pollinators. Growing this plant invites hummingbirds and native birds into your landscape during cooler months.

Pest and Disease Resistance

This shrub is generally hardy and robust. Its health depends on proper drainage. Common issues include root and collar rot from poor drainage or overwatering. Avoid waterlogged soil for best results.

Propagation Details

To retain the desirable cold tolerance and silvery-pink shades, propagation must be by vegetative means. Semi-hardwood cuttings during warm months are the most reliable method. Seed propagation is discouraged as it cannot maintain cultivar traits. This preserves the unique features of protea pink ice.

Protea 'Pink Ice': Cold-Hardy, Silvery-Pink Protea for Low-Water Landscapes

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Protea 'Pink Ice': Cold-Hardy, Silvery-Pink Protea Live Plants

Protea 'Pink Ice': Cold-Hardy, Silvery-Pink Protea Live Plants

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