Serruria

Proteaceae

Blushing Bride

Evergreen shrubs, fine dissected leaves, flowers of white to pink in summer through to early autumn.
 

Uses

Garden shrub, container plant, cut flower, ornamental plant.
 

Culture

Full sun, good drainage is essential, will tolerate dry periods. Do not fertilise. Do not cultivate around roots. Prune to remove straggly growths. 
 

Propagation

Cuttings or seed work well; seed needs fire to germinate. Seedlings will flower after just 15 months.
 

Cultivars

A widely grown species is S. florida (Blushing Bride): Fast-growing shrub to 1.7 metres; white to pink flowers.
 

Plant Health

Half-hardy to frost-tender; drought hardy once established; may tolerate light frosts to minus 2 degrees Celsius if of short duration. Relatively short-lived plants (good quality flowers may only last for a few years); few notable pests and diseases.
 

More info

From South Africa; around 55 species.