A red pincushion bloom at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa

© Mint Images/Frans Lanting

A red pincushion bloom at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa

The red pincushion comes in more shades and colours than its name implies, as do the many other blooms in the larger protea family. Thanks to the southern African plant’s ability to easily adapt to a variety of soils and climates, it’s been a very popular export to Europe and beyond.