Protea magnifica

Protea magnifica, the Queen Protea, is a botanical species that offers the largest flowers after those of the King protea Protea cynaroides. It is also one of the most sought after by collectors for its huge silky cream to silvery-pink heads. This beautiful shrub with a wide habit and long glaucous leaves blooms in almost all the major mountain ranges of the southwest of the Cape. As it tolerates light frosts (down to -6 or -7 °C (21.2 or 19.4°F)), it can be acclimatised in Mediterranean or Atlantic coastal gardens, planted in a lime-poor and very sunny rockery. Cultivating it in a large pot is however preferable, not only to control the composition of the growing substrate, but also because it is essential to protect the young plants as soon as the first frosts occur.

Protea magnifica is endemic to the Cape Province, where it can be found between 1200 and 2700 meters (3937 and 8858 feet) above sea level on generally nutrient-poor, acidic, and well-drained soils. In the wild, it has a variable habit, often prostrate and creeping, cascading down rocks and steep slopes. In this region of the world, the plants experience rain, fog, or snow in winter, as well as dry and hot summers. All proteas are shrubby plants of the protea family native to the Cape region in South Africa. Strange in every way, they often need fire for their seeds to germinate.

The Queen protea is a slow-growing bush, with a lifespan of up to 30 years. The plant develops a single, robust main stem supporting a bushy and wide growth. Eventually, it reaches about 1.50 meters (5 feet) in all directions. The leaves vary in size and shape, with juvenile leaves being large and hairy, while mature leaves become leathery and glaucous. Oval in shape, they measure between 10 and 20 cm (4 and 8in) long and 3 to 6 cm (1 to 2in) wide. Their lamina is strongly veined and displays red to yellow median veins. Flowering occurs from March to May-June. It consists of cup-shaped heads, measuring 15 cm (6in) wide and 15-16 cm (6in) long. In the wild, the colour palette of the outer floral bracts is vast, including greenish cream, cream, pink, salmon pink, pinkish reds, and deep carmine. The bracts' bristles vary in color and density, ranging from white to violet-black or tawny brown with a black, brown or even white central tip. The selections available in nurseries are mostly cream-coloured, more or less tinged with pastel pink. The thick roots of this plant also serve as a storage organ. In case of fire, the protea is capable of regenerating from its roots, fertilised by its own ashes.

Proteas are unusual and fascinating plants that are not easily forgotten. The Protea magnifica is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular species. Florists, as well as gardeners, appreciate the longevity of its often oversized flowers, adorned with refined colors. It will thrive in gardens spared by heavy frosts, in light, poor, acidic to neutral soil, even if it gets very dry in summer. It will look dramatic in a large exotic rockery, alongside Pride of Madeira, Puya, Agaves, Dasylirion, Leucadendron, and more.

A unique root system adapted to poor and dry soils:

Plants growing in nutrient-poor soils usually form a symbiosis with soil fungi that promote water and nutrient absorption. But the Proteas have chosen a different strategy: they develop a large quantity of special lateral roots along their main roots. These roots are called proteoid roots and are induced by rain, developing under the layer of dead leaves that covers the plant's base. Rain promotes the decomposition of leaves, resulting in the release of nutrients. These ephemeral roots usually dry up at the end of the growth period. They have a water and nutrient absorption activity twice as high as "normal" roots.