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Leucospermums
A favourite pastime of mine is quietly motoring around suburban streets and admiring the varied gardens on view form the street. In mid November there was plenty to see in the coastal gardens of Kapiti. The plentiful rain had produced lush green grass and vibrant roses as well as all the usual coastal daisies and flowering shrubs. Of particular beauty were the Pincushion shrubs or Leucospermums. I have never seen so many gorgeous flowering and very healthy specimens.
Leucospermums fit into small suburban gardens perfectly as many are small neat growing shrubs. Very light and free draining soils such as sand is the perfect soil for them. In heavy soils they may grow for a while but will eventually succumb to the root rotting disease phythothera which is prevalent in soils that retain moisture. This disease strikes suddenly. One day the shrub will be perfectly happy and the next all the foliage is found wilted. There is no cure. One cannot plant a similar plant into the hole where the diseased shrub was removed from.
Pincushions are related to Proteas and come form the cape region of South Africa. Coming from a dry climate they have evolved with small hairs on their leaves to trap moisture from the mists that come in from the sea.This adaptation ensures survival through drought conditions but means they are unsuccessful in climates with high humidity. Too much water is trapped and fungal diseases develop on the leaves to cause blackening of the foliage and finally death on the affected shrub. Climates with lots of wind suit them perfectly and full sun is a must. Protect form frosts, particulary when young. Don’t feed Leucospermums. In pure sand a light mulching with compost will be adequate. They are shrubs that require little pruning. Either pick the flowers or shorten the stems after flowering.
The flowers are large and vibrantly coloured and pincushion shaped .Flowering is over a long period from mid spring to mid summer between the different varieties. Nectar feeding birds visit the flowers for nectar. As the flowers are produced atop the long stems birds can be easily viewed while feeding.
There is a huge industry in Hawaii, California, South Africa and New Zealand in the production of Pincushion flowers for export cut flowers. They are very popular and long lasting in the vase.
Varieties
Leucospermum caroline
Large rounded pincushion heads are orange, tinted salmon. Flowers through spring and early summer.Rounded habit of growth.Grows 1.2m high and 1.5 ms wide.
Leucospermum cordifolium
Greyish green leaves.Vibrant orange flowers in large dome shaped heads. Forms a rounded compact bush. Grows 1.5 ms high by 2 ms wide. The parent of many of the newer disease resistant varieties.
Leucospermum c.Red Flame
Deep red flower heads on very long stems.Flowers from early spring into mid summer. Low spreading growth habit to 1metre tall.
Leucospermum Fantasy
Soft salmon pink flower heads have a mauve cast. The flowers are borne on long arching stems .Broadly spreading to 2.5 ms wide and 2ms high .Will grow and flower in filtered shade and tolerant of frosts down to minus 6c
Leucospermum Firefly
Deep orange red flowers which mature to a carmine shade as they age.
Short flowering stems are produced on a 1m high and wide growing shrub.
Flowers over spring and summer.
Leucospermum Goldie
Small domed flowers of deep golden yellow.Flowers on long slim stems from later spring through mid summer .Will tolerate frosts down to minus 5c once established. Hard pruning after flowering will produce a more compact shrub with more flowering stems.Grows 1 to 2ms tall.
Leucospermum High Gold
Large clear yellow pincushions from spring through to mid summer..They glow against the dark green leaves. Grows 1.5ms high.
Leucospermum prostratum Ground Fire
Small pom pom shaped flowers in mass from spring and into late summer. The flowers emerge soft yellow, develop into soft orange shades and mature to a rusty red.The combination of flower colours is on the trailing shrub all at the same time to give a striking effect. Superb ground cover or trailing over banks in sandy soils.
Leucospermum reflexum
Forms a large dense bush of dark silvery grey leaves. The bright orange red flowers are held on long stems and look like sky rockets in flight .Grows 3ms .This is the hardiest of all and tolerants hard coastal conditions and rosts down to minus 7c.The variant Cape Gold or Luteum has flowers of a clear yellow and grows only 2ms tall. It is less hardy to frosts.
Leucospermum Scarlet Ribbons
Deep salmon pink flowers with distinctive red ribbons .Broad shaped domed flowers through spring. Grows 1.5 high and wide.
Leucospermum Sunrise
Long stems of vivid orange red flowers.An open growth habit.Prune this variety back by half after flowering.Grows 1.5ms high and wide.
Leucospermum tottum Champagne
Soft pink flowers have mauve tips.This pastel shading contrasts nicely with the grey leaves. Flowers from spring to mid summer. Grows into a compact rounded form with short flowering stems. Grows 1m high and wide.
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