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': The Hardiest Rose-Pink Blooms with Silvery "Frosted" Tips

$55.00 USD

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Protea ‘Pink Ice’

Protea ‘Pink Ice’ is one of the most reliable and widely grown Protea cultivars, prized for its cold tolerance, vigorous growth, and stunning, florist-grade blooms. This hybrid selection of Protea neriifolia × Protea susannae produces large, conical flowers in rich shades of rose-pink to deep blush, accented by frosted, silvery tips along the bracts. The blooms sit upright at the ends of strong stems and contrast beautifully against the plant’s leathery blue‑green foliage. With long-lasting flowers and an extended bloom season, ‘Pink Ice’ provides exceptional color and structure in the garden and is highly valued in the cut-flower industry.

Adapted to warm, dry-summer climates, Protea ‘Pink Ice’ thrives in full sun and sharply drained, slightly acidic soils. It is one of the hardiest and easiest King Protea relatives to grow, making it a top choice for gardeners seeking a dependable Proteaceae shrub. Once established, it offers excellent drought tolerance, strong wind resistance, and minimal maintenance requirements. Its upright, rounded form and abundant flowering make ‘Pink Ice’ ideal as a specimen shrub, feature grouping, or standout element in Mediterranean, coastal, or low‑water gardens. Combining beauty, durability, and exceptional garden performance, Protea ‘Pink Ice’ remains a must-have cultivar for collectors and landscape designers alike.

Botanical Characteristics

Characteristic	Detail
Scientific Name	Protea ‘Pink Ice’
Common Name(s)	Pink Ice Protea
Growth Habit	Upright, rounded evergreen shrub
Foliage	Thick, leathery blue‑green leaves with smooth margins
Flowers / Bracts	Large conical blooms in rose-pink to blush with frosted silver bract tips
Flowering Season	Late winter through spring; intermittent flowering year-round in ideal climates
Special Features	Cold tolerant, drought tolerant, long-lasting blooms, excellent for cut flowers

Mature Size and Form of Protea ‘Pink Ice’

Protea ‘Pink Ice’ typically reaches 4–7 ft tall (1.2–2.1 m) with a spread of 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m). It forms a sturdy, rounded shrub with dense, upright branches. Occasional light shaping may be done when young, but mature plants require minimal pruning beyond removing spent blooms.

USDA Hardiness Zone Recommendations

This cultivar performs well in USDA Zones 8b–11, making it one of the more cold‑tolerant protea hybrids. It thrives in Mediterranean, coastal, and dry inland climates with mild winters.

Cultivation and Care for Protea ‘Pink Ice’

Aspect	Care Instructions
Sunlight	Full sun required for best flowering and compact growth
Soil	Acidic, sandy, or rocky soil with excellent drainage; avoid clay
Water	Low once established; prefers deep, infrequent irrigation
Fertilizer	Use only low‑phosphorus, native‑plant‑safe fertilizer
Pruning	Remove spent blooms; avoid hard pruning into old wood

Landscape Use and Benefits

• Excellent as a specimen shrub or focal plant
• Highly valued in cut-flower production
• Perfect for Mediterranean, coastal, and drought‑tolerant landscapes
• Adds strong architectural form and long-lasting color
• Pairs beautifully with Leucospermums, Leucadendrons, Banksias, and succulents

Wildlife Attraction

Nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and nectar-feeding birds. Dense evergreen foliage offers structural habitat for small wildlife.

Pest and Disease Resistance

Protea ‘Pink Ice’ is one of the most resilient proteas. Possible issues include:

• Root rot in poorly drained soils
• Sensitivity to phosphorus
• Occasional leaf browning from overwatering or humidity

Sharp drainage and low‑P nutrition are essential.

Propagation Methods

Best propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings to maintain uniform bloom color, size, and vigor.
Seed propagation is possible but produces variation.