Plant Care Guides / Outdoor & Coastal / Fynbos and Proteas
Indigenous (endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape) | Moderate Care | Fynbos and Proteas
The featherbush 'Bronze Haze' is a striking fynbos shrub grown for its rich bronze to copper-coloured foliage, which intensifies from autumn through winter when most of the garden is looking green and quiet.
In spring and summer, the male plants produce bright lemon-yellow, catkin-like flowers, while the female plants develop cone-shaped seed heads that dry into woody, star-like structures prized in the dried flower industry. It is a member of the protea family and needs the same basic conditions: poor, sandy, acidic, well-drained soil, no phosphorus, and plenty of sun and airflow. It is naturally coastal, growing on sandy lowlands from the Kogelberg to the southern Cape, and it handles wind, salt exposure and drought.
Up to 2 m tall and about 1.5 m wide.
Moderate.
Fynbos garden, textural contrast in a mixed indigenous planting, dried flower arrangements (the female seed cones), coastal garden accent.
Full sun. Good air circulation is important.
Very well-drained, sandy, acidic soil. Like all protea family plants, it will not tolerate rich, composted soil or phosphorus-based fertilisers. In alkaline soil, grow in a large container with acidic fynbos mix.
Low once established. Drought-hardy. Water while settling in.
None, or a very light application of low-phosphorus fynbos fertiliser. It thrives in nutrient-poor conditions.
Light pruning after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Do not cut back into old, bare wood.
Ask about availability. WhatsApp us to check what is currently in stock, or visit the nursery and we will help you choose the right plant for your spot.
