Large rose-purple to petunia-purple flowers, semi-fully double in June/July, single (picture 3) in August/September. The double flowers have up to 100 petaloids in 10 rows. White filaments and creamy-yellow anthers. Introduced by Charles Noble of Sunningdale in 1876. (C. viticella 'Grandiflora' x 'Fortunei'.) In myth Proteus was a Greek god who could change shape at will.

Group:	Early large-flowered group
Approximate height:	2.5 - 3.0 metres
Flowering period(s):	Jun Jul Aug Sep
Aspect:	Semi-shade
Pruning:	Light prune (Group 2)
Raised by:	Charles Noble
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Date raised:	1876
Parentage:	C. viticella 'Grandiflora' x 'Fortunei'
Other name(s):	'The Premier'; 'Protaeus'
Database entry: 617
People:  Click the name(s) for information about:
	Charles Noble