Common Sugarbush

Afrikaans name: Gewone Suikerbos

The stunning flower of the Common Sugarbush

Photo © Aquiya - Fotolia.com

Protea repens

The Common Sugarbush has the distinction of being the first Protea to have been cultivated to a point where it flowers, away from the Cape. This was achieved in 1770 at the Royal Gardens at Kew.

This Protea is very popular with gardeners and a number of different varieties have been developed.

The Common Sugarbush occurs naturally between Grahamstown and the Western Cape. It can be found at a variety of altitudes from the coast to the mountains.

Flowering occurs at different times during the year. In the western, winter rainfall, areas it flowers in winter. In the more eastern regions it flowers in summer.

The large flowers attract a variety of birds and insects.

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 108

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 196

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 176

Pocket Guide - Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2013 - Page: 19

Proteas for Pleasure - 3rd edition - Author: Sima Eliovson - Published: 1973 - Page: 68

Gardening with Indigenous Shrubs - Author: David and Sally Johnson, Geoff Nichols - Published: 2002 - Page: 87

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 174

Field Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa - Author: John Manning - Published: 2009 - Page: 170

Everyones Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 26

Ecoguide - Fynbos - Author: Colin Paterson-Jones and John Manning - Published: 2007 - Page: 141

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 101

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