Protea Susara

Protea Susara is an absolutely charming hybrid protea, with a dense habit and an exquisitely refined flowering in pastel tones. It develops into a nicely rounded large shrub and bears wonderful, cup-shaped inflorescences in spring, composed of pearly white-pink bracts surrounding a large heart of white stamens, with a small black dot in the centre. Proteas are rather tender plants, strange and fascinating. According to enthusiasts of these sometimes capricious plants, this is one of the most robust varieties. Cultivating it in large pots is preferable, outside areas with mild winters, not only to control the composition of the growing substrate, but also because it is imperative to protect the plant from the first frosts.

The 'Susara' protea is a horticultural creation resulting from the cross-breeding of Protea susannae and P. magnifica, the queen protea. The first parent, which hybridises easily, has passed on its robustness, ease of cultivation, and tolerance towards a fairly wide range of soils, while the second parent has given the hybrid its large pastel-coloured flowers, bushy habit, and increased hardiness, down to -7 °C (19.4 °F). Both are shrubby perennial plants in the protea family, native to the Cape region in South Africa, in a Mediterranean-type climate. Unusual in every way, proteas have seeds that can only germinate after a fire.

'Susara' develops multiple thick stems, well branched from the base. It reaches an average size of 1.75m (6ft) in all directions. It bears long alternate leaves, elongated and pointed, leathery, with the ability to absorb atmospheric moisture. They are light green, finely edged with purple. Flowering takes place from March to May. The inflorescences are large heads, carried at the end of each branch, measuring 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) in diameter. Mature and well-established plants can produce up to several dozen flower heads per season. The flower buds resemble magnificent thistles with pearly scales. The head opens after 1 month. The thin, creamy white-pink bracts, outlined by a fine deep pink edge, open to reveal a large, pale white to pale pink, silky and woolly heart, composed of true flowers. Each flowers bears a bunch of stamens and a filamentous pistil which, together, give the impression of silky fiber inside the inflorescence. The centre of the flower head bears a striking, black heart. The flowers attract many pollinating insects and give way to velvety seeds, almost as large as walnuts. 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.

The 'Susara' protea is a sensational plant that does not leave anyone indifferent. Florists, as well as gardeners, appreciate the longevity of its often oversized flowers, adorned with refined colours. It prefers coastal gardens spared by severe frosts, with light, poor, and not too chalky soils. Well adapted to the Mediterranean climate, it tolerates poor to arid and inhospitable soils, and will look striking as a standalone plant, on vast slopes or as a backdrop to dry garden beds, as long as it is planted in a open position, in full sun. In the exotic garden, it can be associated with Tree Echium or Pride of Madeira, Puya, Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia mellifera, Giant Fennel, Leucadendron, Melianthus major, palm trees (Trachycarpus fortunei, Sabal minor), or even hybrid mulleins.

A unique root system, adapted to poor and dry soils:

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