Proteaceae species for summer rainfall climates

Of the more than 360 species that make up the family Proteaceae in South Africa, all but 30 are found only in the winter rainfall region of South Africa, known as The Cape Floral Kingdom. This area, which stretches from Nieuwoudtville in the north eastern part of the Western Cape Province to Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province, includes the winter rainfall region of South Africa, those areas that are partially affected by this Mediterranean climate which often have their rain in autumn and spring, as well as areas which receive summer rainfall.

Despite the fact that Grahamstown, Bathurst, Port Alfred and all the coastal towns close-by are along the eastern reaches of this area, I have seen very few proteas being grown. Some 40 years ago my mom planted a variety of Proteaceae in her veld garden in Bathurst, where they were grown wild, have self-seeded and flowered year after year.

When I needed to replace some of the older ones, I turned to the experts for information. Many excellent websites and expert books later I found myself floundering in daunting and complicated information overload, much of which did not apply to our immediate climate.

To narrow the choices I compared species recommended for summer rainfall areas by: 

Silverhill Seeds (Many thanks to Rachel at http://www.silverhillseeds.co.za) 

Finebush People (http://finebushpeople.co.za ), and

those that have grown well in Bathurst.

But first, a visual feast of some of the summer rainfall members of the Protea family that have grown and flourished in Bathurst. 

Protea compacta, Protea lacticolor, Protea lanceolata, Protea longifolia, Protea mundii, Protea neriifolia, Protea obtusifolia, Protea susannae

Leucodendron linifolium, Leucodendron meridianum, Leucodendron rubrum

Leucospermum cordifolium