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1. Every Friday post a photo that includes one or more flowers.
2. Please only post photos you have authority to use.
3. Include a link to this blog in your post - http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.com/
4. Leave the link to your FloralFridayFoto post below on inlinkz.
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When to Post:
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Thursday, 5 May 2016

FFF233 - PROTEA 'PINK ICE'

Cold hardiness and beautiful pink and black flowers are the hallmarks of the hybrid Protea, 'Pink Ice.' A cross between the South African natives, mink protea (Protea neriifolia) and stink-leaf sugarbush (P. susannae), this evergreen is an upright to loosely rounded shrub that blooms in Autumn and Winter. Its stellar blooms are beautiful when cut and last for two to three weeks in a vase.

 The narrow, oval foliage of this shrub is medium green with a leathery, hard texture. When Autumn and Winter days shorten and temperatures grow cooler, the leaf edges blush rosy pink. Each blossom resembles a torch with hundreds of magenta-rose bracts. The tips of the bracts are edged with feathery burgundy black hairs. This Protea is among the easiest to grow. It tolerates slightly acid and alkaline soils as well as climates that are wet in winter and dry in summer, or dry in winter and wet in summer.

 For best performance, plant it in full sun and alkaline soil that is moderately infertile. Soil must be fast-draining and porous; moist soils encourage fungal diseases. Amend loam and clay soils with grit and coarse organic matter to improve aeration and drainage. Do not fertilise, especially with phosphorus which causes proteas to falter. Plant this showy shrub in a prominent location to show off its magnificent flowers.

 All proteas are short-lived surviving 10 to 15 years at most. Take stem cuttings from older plants to replace older, failing specimens. Trim spent flowers off in spring to encourage fuller growth and more blooms by early winter.
Join me for Floral Friday Fotos by linking your flower photos below, and please leave a comment once you have done so.
****If you take part in the meme, please show an active link back to this site on your own blog post!****
FFF233
1. WATTLE SEASON  18. islandrambles  35. Joyful  52. Splendid Little Stars  
2. CUPHEA 'BAT FACE'  19. eva  36. TULIPS  53. Cath@Home  
3. CAPE FUCHSIA  20. Dekotraum - Austria  37. ladyleemanila  54. Sara Chapman #4  
4. ROCKET FLOWERS  21. orchid(Japan)  38. Double William of Orange  55. Lenas Trädgårdsrum  
5. Tom The Backroads Traveller  22. Andrea Pureoxygen  39. Annie (bien tomber)  56. Vilt og vakkert  
6. JULIA | Tulips  23. fim.works  40. Betty Louise Davenport  57. Ingmarie We/Refugium  
7. Katarina - Sweden  24. Sara Chapman, Seattle USA  41. Sylvia  58. Marleen, NL  
8. Bedside table with flowers  25. Sara Chapman #2  42. bij jen  59. Karin M.  
9. Villroses hage  26. Sara Chapman #3  43. Heidrun, Germany  60. Grønn fryd hos Monique  
10. Ulla Laiho  27. Jutta K.  44. Rome municipal rose garden  61. Julie - australia  
11. lots and lots  28. Gunilla  45. hapzydeco  62. GUM FLOWERS  
12. Wildlife Watching with FAB  29. WoollyMuses  46. Betty Louise Davenport  63. Biggy  
13. joanna uk  30. CORIANDER  47. Nicole/Frau Frieda  64. Laura Hegfield  
14. Ulrika L Sweden  31. Forest Dream Weaver  48. Rose Garden Malevik  65. Smiling Flower!  
15. Mary,MI  32. My favorite weekend flower  49. Dawn  66. Zauberpalme  
16. Trini Garden  33. Ingrid  50. Sarah Bettey Photography OR-USA  67. naehmeise.blogspot.de  
17. Sallie (FullTime-Life)  34. Sidewalk Shoes  51. DeniseinVA  68. Denise Hall  

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25 comments:

  1. Anonymous5 May 2016 at 08:42

    Hi Nick, This is a new plant to me. The color is so lovely and how wonderful that they last a long time in a vase. Have a nice upcoming weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tom5 May 2016 at 08:57

    a pretty one that I know from Maui

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  3. Villrose5 May 2016 at 12:16

    Oh, I just love Proteas! They are fantastic!

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  4. FAB5 May 2016 at 14:02

    Magnificent.

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  5. joanna uk5 May 2016 at 14:17

    Hiya Nick,
    So lovely the way you caught the light inside that cup.
    Again something so exotic that I will never see.

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  6. Unknown5 May 2016 at 16:17

    That's very pretty!!

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  7. Anonymous5 May 2016 at 21:41

    Hello,
    I liked the Proteas are also seen in the coat of arms of South Africa, very very good and your recording is also particularly nice.

    Greetings Eva

    ReplyDelete
  8. fim.works5 May 2016 at 22:16

    I like Proteas so much and these one have stunning color, Nick!
    Thank you so much for your comments, I always enjoy them.
    Have a happy weekend ... Frauke

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sara Chapman5 May 2016 at 22:23

    I didn't know any proteas were hardy! I'll have to look into this one. Also, please forgive me for linking the variegated pieris. I know it's not really a flower, but doesn't it look like flowers?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown6 May 2016 at 00:04

    Gorgeous! Thank you for hosting, Nick.

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  11. Forest Dream Weaver6 May 2016 at 01:17

    Beautiful shot....love the way you've caught the light around the petals.
    Thanks for hosting.
    Happy Weekend!

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  12. Hetty6 May 2016 at 01:42

    I know this Protea from the flower shops. I dare not grow it in my garden! Thanks for the opportunity to link in. Groetjes Hetty

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  13. auchwas6 May 2016 at 02:27

    Beautiful photo. I love this flowers so much. Great Blog und great Idea for "Floral Friday Flowers", if I can I will send you Flowers. Great to find you. Have a nice weekend.
    Ingrid

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  14. Joyful6 May 2016 at 03:25

    It's a very unusual but beautiful flower.

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  15. Seraphinas Phantasie6 May 2016 at 04:27

    Hi Nick,
    such a gorgeous photo of this wonderful flower. Amazing !
    Best regards, Synnöve

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  16. Aritha V. 6 May 2016 at 05:14

    Never see. I love your flower! I sent you tulps from Holland, Nick. Enjoy!

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  17. Anonymous6 May 2016 at 07:33

    Proteas are truly magnificent flowers, and seeing your picture takes me right back to South Africa. :)

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  18. photodoug6 May 2016 at 09:16

    Nick, a new one for me. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. DeniseinVA6 May 2016 at 13:35

    I like the shadows and sunlight on this beauty Nick.

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  20. Cath6 May 2016 at 16:55

    Beautiful Protea Nick.....always remind me of the years I spent growing up in South Africa.

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  21. Lenas Trädgårdsrum7 May 2016 at 01:45

    Gorgeous flower!!

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  22. Vilt og vakkert7 May 2016 at 03:12

    Heisann, I remember this fascinating flower from my visit to south Africa!

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  23. Laura8 May 2016 at 17:40

    Absolutely gorgeous Nick… I love the details and the exquisite light shining through the petals!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Annas Nadelbuch10 May 2016 at 12:23

    What a beautiful picture of this attractive diva. Yes, I know this beauty when our florist in it has assortment I always buy. Thanks for the party, Nick, I wish you a sunny week.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Denise Diffee Hall12 May 2016 at 05:46

    My first time linking here - saw your meme via Denise in Va. Looking forward to viewing other's work each Friday!

    ReplyDelete

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