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Leucadendrons
We are so lucky to be able to grow in our gardens of the Horowhenua and Kapiti coast these lovely members of the Protea family. They naturally only grow in the Cape region of South Africa where they grow in sandy loam and experience strong sea breezes from the Atlantic and Indian oceans. In our coastal gardens we can mirror the same conditions to grow healthy specimens.
Leucadendrons have miniscule flowers which are surrounded by the showy bracts that we consider flowers. Strictly speaking they are known as colourful foliage plants and much prized for picking by florists and gardeners. Stems of foliage last up to three weeks in a vase and look lovely as a filler with most flowers.
The most well known garden and cut flower Leucadendron in N.Z L. Safari Sunset was bred in Wanganui in 1962 by Ian Bell. Today it is still performing strongly in home gardens and is still a major cut foliage for both export and our domestic market. Millions of stems are produced annually around the world for the cut flower market.
Leucadendrons come in a range of sizes from small as a ground cover, to large bushes of 2.5ms with all sizes in between. One tree species is represented by the noble Silver tree Leucadendron argenteum.
Free draining soil with the addition of compost is ideal for growing Leucandrons superbly. Mulch with compost annually as this helps to conserve moisture and give the plants their fertilizer requirements. Artificial fertilizers are death to them as phosphates are a poison to all members of the Protea family. Apart from the Silver tree which is very frost tender when young all other Leucadendrons will tolerate frosts down to minus – 5 degrees. The best time to plant is in the autumn and winter when the soil is cool and gives the new plant a chance to establish before next summer. Also these plants are produced seasonally by the nurseries and the best selection to buy is available now.
Pick these plants when their leaves are at their most colourful and give a hard overall prune when the leaves begin to fade. Pruning encourages lots of fresh new shoots from which next seasons cut foliage will emerge.
Unfortunately Leucadendrons are fairly short lived. In ideal growing conditions plants can live up to about 15 years but most perform brilliantly for between 5 and 10 years when they slowly start to deteriorate. Plants will open up, becoming leggy and branches will start to brown and die. Refrain from planting new plants in the same holes where others have been removed from as the soil borne disease Phythopthora is most likely present and will hasten the death of your new plant.
There are well over 80 species and cultivars to choose from, indeed one could devote a garden to them and have foliage to pick all year round. I have listed a few of my personal favourites.
Leucadendron argenteum
The very dramatic tree form with its spectacular silvery leaves that shimmer in the wind. A quick grower with a narrow growing habit.
Leucandron Amy
Deep red bracts in autumn that develop cream inners from early spring. A lovely bicolour with a profusion of smaller flowers perfect for posies. Grows 1.5 high by 1m wide.
Leucadendron Cream delight
Medium sized bracts are ivory white and develop a pink blush when mature in early spring.Long stems are a feature. An erect shrub to 2ms.
Leucadendron Fireglow
Smaller burgundy red bracts from autumn to spring. By spring the bracts take on glowing orange hues. Grows 1m.
Leucadendron Inca Gold
Medium sized bracts of brilliant yellow with red tips and red stems. Early in the season these bracts are an attractive lime green. A very bushy grower attaining 1.5 in width and height.
Leucadendron Red Carpet
Rich burgundy red bracts in winter reveal creamy inners by spring . A flat grower perfect for rockeries or cascading over low walls.
Leucadendron Safari Sunset
Rich burgundy red bracts appear from late summer on long stems. The colour intensifies as winter approaches. It is essential to prune bushes hard back by early spring. Don’t wait for the bush to get big. Prune from the first season. Safari grows from 2 to 3 metres in height.
Leucadron Safari Sunshine
A variegated sport of the above. Leaves are pink with green and cream stripes. Bracts are rich burgundy red with a prominent green stripe through the centre. A very attractive shrub for its foliage. Bushier than Safari Sunset. Grows 1.5 ms.
Lecandron Waterlily
Distinctive rosette shaped bracts are red flushed yellow from mid winter. A low dense grower. Grows 1m high and wide.
Leucadendron Xanthoconus Patea Gold
Dense and bushy with willow type foliage. Slender yellow bracts in spring are followed by bright red cones in summer. These cones are wonderful for picking. 2.5ms high.
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