The Protea Barbigera has one of the largest flower heads among proteas, with the King Protea (Cynaroides) being the biggest. The Barbigera, also known as the Queen Protea, is a spectacular and attractive flower that is hugely sought-after. No picture can describe how strikingly beautiful and fluffy this variety is, with its flower heads varying naturally in color. With its rounded bushy form, this protea will look great in any design or floral arrangement.
The Queen Protea, a.k.a. Barbigera
The pink and white colors of the Protea Barbigera are perfect for the cool bride or the stylish interior designer. The protea is native to Africa and can be found for 90% in South Africa. It is therefore the National flower of South Africa. Because the juices of the protea taste like sugar, this flower is also called 'Suikerbossie' or 'Sugarbush'. The Latin name, Protea, is derived from the Greek god Proteus because he could change shape.
Learn a lot more about all the different types of proteas and their ancient history.
Huge Flower Heads
At first, the flower starts with a closed bud, but once it blooms it is a huge flower! This makes the flower very diverse. Due to the size of the head, it certainly makes an impression solo in a vase but in a bouquet, it is also a real eye-catcher! You can also dry the protea barbigera in the vase once it has finished flowering. Then give it a second life in a beautiful dried bouquet!
The massive woolly flower head is large and cup-shaped and measures 150-160 mm long and 150 mm across. In nature, the color range of the outer floral bracts is broad, including greenish cream, cream, pink, salmon pink, rosy reds, and deep carmine. The bract beards are variable in color and density. They may be white, purple-black, or tawny brown with the central tip being black, tawny brown, or even white. Flowering time may differ from locality to locality but is mainly from mid-winter to mid-summer (June to January) peaking in spring (September).
Protea Barbigera is Perfect For Dried Arrangements
Protea Barbigera is cultivated as a cut flower for the export market because of its excellent characteristics of having long stems, long-lasting flower heads, and a good vase life. Its air and sea freight ability is very good. With regular requests for this protea from all over the world, it has a remarkably high economic potential. It is considered one of the most prized cut flowers due to its longevity and ability to be used in dried flower arrangements.
