The South American genera tend to be hardier and prefer somewhat damper conditions

 The most impressive example of this is the dinner plate-sized flower head of Protea cynaroides. The flowering season also varies; many proteas and grevilleas flower in winter, while leucospermums tend to flower in summer.
Cultivation
Other than a suitable climate, the key to success Fog Nozzles Suppliers with proteas is establishing the right soil conditions. While some of the species are frost-tender, they are in all other respects remarkably resilient plants that often thrive in situations where others would rapidly succumb. Inland, unseasonable early and late frosts often kill all but the hardiest specimens. Some species have very sticky flowers that will trap visiting insects, especially bees an this slightly sinister side of the flower appears to serve no particular purpose. Poor soils and hot dry positions that scarcely seem capable of supporting life are often ideal for Proteaceae. Some genera, particularly Leucadendron, include species with brightly coloured foliage, the intensity of which varies with the season. It is almost always evergreen, but may be needle-like, as with many grevilleas; long, narrow and serrated like that of Dryandra formosa; or rounded and leathery like the leaves of Protea cynaroides. Embothrium in particular, can withstand hard frosts and is grown over most of the country. But where winter temperatures regularly drop to -6?C or lower, most proteas require frost protection.
The South African and Australian Proteaceae tend to be at their best in warm, dry conditions and often thrive in coastal areas. The protea family is mainly adapted to mineral based soils that drain very quickly and which often have low nutrient levels. The South American genera tend to be hardier and prefer somewhat damper conditions.
Proteas (the term is often used collectively as well as for the genus itself) are a variable group.
Protea flowers are composed of clusters of narrow tubes that are often curved.