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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Proteaceae (Proteas) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Year-round |
| Height: 3-5 feet |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Protea cynaroides 'Arctic Ice' (White King Protea) A medium sized shrub to 3 to 5 feet tall and wide with reddish stems holding large rounded green leaves and bearing huge dinner plate sized flowers. Unlike the species, which typically has pale silky pink flowers, this variety 10 to 12 inch wide flowers of pure white. These flowers cover the shrub from autumn to spring with some scattered bloom throughout the year. Plant in full sun in a well-drained, preferably acid, soil. Requires little irrigation and tolerates coastal conditions. Protect from frost and temperatures below 28° F. Cut flowering stems back to base after flowering. It is an attractive garden plant for a nice well-drained site in the garden or as a container specimen and a great cut flower for arrangements. This plant was selected by Geoff Jewell of Te Horo Ornamentals, a New Zealand nursery that specializes in the growing and breeding plants in Protea family. It was submitted for Plant Variety Rights (PVR) in New Zealand in 1996 and granted PVR No.1335 in 1998 but never received a US Plant Patent. The species has a wide distribution through the fynbos in the southern parts of South Africa, an area subject to wildfires for which Protea cynaroides is well adapted to with its thick underground stems that have dormant buds that sprout up after a fire. The genus and plant family is named for the Greek god Proteus, who was able to change between many forms and reflects the incredible variety and diversity of the plants in the family. The specific epithet means like plants in the genus Cynara, the Artichoke, in reference to the similar appearance of the flower buds. Other common names for the species include Giant Protea, Honeypot and King Sugar Bush. We also grow the typical pink flowered species Protea cynaroides and a dwarf form called 'Mini King'.
This information about Protea cynaroides 'Arctic Ice' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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