Learning Hub · MASTERCLASSES
The Art of Growing Proteas
Masterclass Series
Think proteas are too fussy, too sensitive or too unpredictable?
They're none of those things. They just live by different rules. The Art of Growing Proteas is a hands-on masterclass series that finally makes these plants make sense. Run by Maddingley Botanical, the growers behind the book Proteas Explained, it blends immersive teaching, live demonstrations and a workshop, so you walk away knowing how to grow them beautifully at home. Launching in person and online from July 2026.
THE MASTERCLASS
It started with a question.
Then thousands of them.
We've spent years growing proteas, immersing ourselves in them, learning exactly what makes them thrive. Along the way we've heard the same questions over and over. Why won't mine flower? What am I doing wrong? Are they really that hard? We get thousands of them, mostly from people who love the look of a protea but feel like they're missing some secret manual.
That's why we created this masterclass. We get real joy from growing proteas. We know they thrive once they're set up right. But we've watched too many people end up disappointed, certain they've got a plant that's simply too hard. They haven't. Proteas aren't difficult. They're misunderstood. Once you understand how they grow in the wild, you can give them the same at home, in a bed or a pot, without the guesswork.
This is all about growing proteas, with a nod to the wider Proteaceae family they belong to. If you've tried before and it didn't quite work out, this is the group for you. If you already grow them and just want to take things further, it's for you too. Either way, you'll probably pick up things you didn't even know you were missing, then leave knowing how to grow them well, in the ground or in a pot.
No more crossed fingers. No more too-hard basket.
WHO IT'S FOR
Built for everyday gardeners.
You don't need a biology degree or a professional greenhouse to grow proteas. We've stripped back the jargon to focus on the practical habits that actually matter in a garden. Whether you're working with a few pots on a balcony or a full garden bed, this masterclass is designed for the person who loves plants but wants more certainty and less guesswork.
- Home Growers: Practical advice for standard residential gardens.
- Beginners: A step-by-step guide for your very first protea purchase.
- Lifelong Gardeners: Refining your techniques for more consistent, heavy flowering.
- Gift Buyers: Knowing exactly what to look for when choosing a plant for someone else.
WHAT WE'LL COVER
Proteas Explained, brought to life.
If you haven't come across it yet, Proteas Explained is our book, the plain-English guide to growing these plants well. It covers the whole journey, from where proteas come from and what they need, through planting, pruning and problem-solving, to growing your own from seed and cuttings. The masterclass follows the book start to finish, so nothing gets skipped and every piece builds on the last. The difference is we bring it off the page, with live demonstrations and hands-on time, so you see how it's really done rather than just read about it. Here's the ground we cover.
Part 01
The Foundations
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The three things that matter most, the foundation everything else builds on
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Why where proteas come from explains everything about growing them
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How an ancient, fire-shaped landscape made them the plants they are
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The many forms and personalities across the protea world
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Why the flower is only the beginning, plus what the whole plant is telling you
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The biggest myths that hold proteas back
Part 03
Keeping them thriving
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How growth really happens, in bursts, not steadily
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Flowering as a long conversation, plus how to get more of it
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Pruning for shape and for more flowers, demonstrated step by step
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How to read your plant, the signals in its leaves and growth, so you catch trouble early
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What to do when something goes wrong, plus why quick fixes make it worse
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The common pests and diseases, plus how to handle them calmly
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When to step in, when to leave it well alone
Part 02
Getting them growing
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How to choose a plant that will actually last
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Why position and fit matter more than effort
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Where to plant it and how to set it up for years ahead
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What good soil really looks like, plus the soil that quietly works against them
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Soil chemistry made simple, including the feeding mistake almost everyone makes
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Why roots decide everything, plus how to protect them
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How mulch quietly does half the work for you
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How to water without guessing, plus the mistakes that do the most damage
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How to grow proteas beautifully in pots, even without the space for a garden bed
Part 04
Growing your own
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How proteas grow from seed, start to finish
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How to grow them from cuttings
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How to think in seasons, not weekends
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How to grow blooms good enough to cut and bring inside
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The long view, plus the quiet reward of getting it right
HOW TO TAKE PART
Want to grow proteas with us?
There are two ways to join us, in person or online, with three easy ways to start. The first in-person sessions at Myrniong are locked in and filling now, so grab a spot while there's room. Want us in your city, or prefer to learn from home? Register your interest and we'll be in touch with dates.
VICTORIA
In person sessions at St Anne's Winery, Myrniong
Our first two sessions are locked in at the iconic St Anne's Winery in Myrniong on Sunday, 12 July. Ninety minutes, fully immersive, with limited numbers. Includes the masterclass, a copy of Proteas Explained, a plant to take home and wine tastings. Morning session starts 11.30am and afternoon session at 1:30pm.
$95 per person
MORE CITIES
Roadshow Series in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Perth
From there we're taking it across Australia through winter and spring. Tell us where you are and RSVP. Includes a book and plant too. We'll email the dates and venues for your city the moment they're set and you can book from there.
$95 per person