any chance at a pic or 2

@Sara Malone Zone 9b WHICH Mediterranean Climate? I've been to "The Mediterranean many times and there are MANY Subclimates just like California. I remember once basking in the warm waters of Greece and enjoying the warm breezes to the mountains of Portugal where I was freezing in shorts and a tube top. Some nice lady from England (also a tourist, but she knew how to dress for Portugal), poured a bunch of whatever was in her flask into my coffee. Anyway, I said that to say this, knowing the variety of the Protea and it's specific needs would help. I find google to be a great friend.

Exactly. These are from South Africa. Pretty mild.

Thank you for the feedback!! Here are some pictures. I'm a novice and didn't jot down the name of the plant after planting, but I think it's a yellow Pincushion Protea (Leucospermum). I live in Monterey, in our "Sunbelt" area about a mile from the ocean. We get full, sometimes intense sun in our yard. Yard is South facing.

I'm guessing that it is the combination of a new plant and hot summer. I can't speak to the droopiness, not knowing the plant's normal attitude (some are very upright, other not) but the yellowing leaves are the old leaves which the plant would naturally jettison as they become more of a liability than an asset. Can you put a temporary shade structure over it? Even an upturned lawn chair?

More water. It takes years before Protea get drought resistant. They need summer watering..at least average amounts,especially with newly planted shrubs or trees.

Thank you everyone for the help. I will try to shade it 😊.

There is a new post on Daves Garden,about a Leucodendron and Protea hobbyist who says,they take at least two years to settle in . My King Protea took at least 4 before it got by on average water.