Plant of the month
Leucadendron
Each month, OGV sub-committee member, Gayle Parkes presents the 'Plant of the month'. She also posts to OGV's Instagram - make sure you check back regularly for her latest post. This month Gayle brings us the leucadendron.
Leucadendron is a genus of about 80 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae, endemic to South Africa, where they are a prominent part of the fynbos ecoregion and vegetation type.
Our next door neighbours have a mainly native garden and each time I walk out of my front door I delight in the leucadendrons that are thriving in their newly planted front garden. They have two different varieties, one is open and dainty, the other is fuller and more spikey. Both have a lovely lemon coloured “flower” with green foliage. Instead of the petal arrangement of a normal flower, leucadendrons have bracts, which are actually modified leaves, and an almost insignificant cone in the "flower" centre.
There are so many varieties of these good do-ers to choose from with bracts ranging in colour from creams and salmon tones, through yellows and oranges to rich deep pinks and burgundy shades. Some closely resemble daisies with waxy petals, some are spidery or willowy in appearance while others look like stars. No wonder they are popular with our florists. They are so long lasting in a vase and look beautiful when incorporated into any floral arrangement. I am lucky to be able to watch these young plants grow next door.
Leucadendrons produce spectacular colour in the winter garden, just when we need a little cheer. They are drought tolerant and are wonderful and hardy. This is a plant for busy people, being low maintenance and low water users in gardens and pots. They are also happy in coastal and heavy soils. Some are low growing and others form sizable screen plants, which are great when used as a hedge.
These almost bullet-proof shrubs love an open, sunny position. If grown in the shade, they don't produce that vivid colour that we desire. Leucadendrons don't like wet feet. Sitting in soggy, wet ground will mean instant death. Plant them on a slope, or try planting them on a mound, about 30cms high, so any water drains away. Give them a drink when planting and they will just about look after themselves after that. Of course mulching around the plant would be a good idea. Give your shrub a prune back to encourage bushy growth and more flowers. Leucadendrons require little feeding. Adding some very well-aged compost or well-rotted leaf mould at planting would be beneficial. Leucadendrons are handsome shrubs suitable for many positions and conditions, be it coastal, in terraces, dry rockeries, or forming a hedge and they also work well when planted in larger containers. Treat yourself to a bunch of these fabulous long lasting blooms to cheer you during our winter lockdowns. Or, there is just the right height, just the right colour and just the right spidery bract shaped leucadendron waiting in a garden centre for us all.
Happy gardening!