About
Vigorous, erect evergreen shrub to 2.5m tall, with narrow, leathery dark green leaves flushed purple-red. From summer to autumn female plants produce yellow-green flowerheads surrounded by light red bracts up to 8cm long which mature to purplish-red then fade to golden yellow.
About the genus
Leucadendron are small evergreen trees and shrubs grown for their cone-like clusters of flowers surrounded by large, leaf-like, often colourful bracts. Both male and female plants are needed to produce fruiting cones. The stems are clothed in leathery, stalkless leaves
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
Care notes
CultivationMay survive outdoors in the mildest areas in a warm, sunny position with poor, free-draining soil. Otherwise grow in a warm greenhouse in a mix of 3 parts peat-substitute, 3 parts grit or perlite and 1 part lime-free compost. Do not overwater. Feed with half-strength magnesium sulphate and urea in spring and autumn
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite when grown under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free