Protea aurea

Commonly known as the shuttlecock sugarbush. It is a fast growing large shrub and will have a smooth bark when bigger. The grey-green leaves are ovate or broadly ovate shaped and are soft and velvety when young. During the summer it will produce candle shaped flower buds which will open to form a cream shuttlecock shaped flowers through until autumn. Best grown in an open sunny aspect in a free draining acidic soil or container. Protect from severe frosts of minus 6c and below.