Leucadendron salignum

An evergreen shrub 1.5m tall by 1.5m wide.

Red flowering bracts are produced in autumn and gradually turn yellow through winter and the flowering cone develops. The leaves are small and leathery in appearance and dark green often with red edges.

Prefers a sunny position with good drainage; sandy and volcanic soils are most suitable. Plant in open areas to avoid root competition. Will tolerate poor soils but won't tolerate soils high superphosphate.

Always choose healthy well-grown plants and plant after autumn rains. Trees and shrubs may be planted at any time throughout the year provided they are watered during dry periods. Planting success is often improved on clay soils by adding extra topsoil and forming raised beds. Incorporate coarse sand bark compost or other organic material to improve soil structure. Planting after autumn rains when the soil is moist and warm allows shrubs to become established before winter. This enables them to withstand dry periods during the following summer.

Before planting ensure the root ball is saturated and remove the planter bag or pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and firm in and water once planted. As soil is placed in the prepared hole tread firmly to bring soil in close contact with the root-ball. Make sure plants are watered well until established if planting in a drier period. Plant with some general slow release fertiliser and then every spring apply an organic based fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre as new growth begins. Planting too closely leads to spindly growth poor flowering and eventual decline so be sure to leave plenty of room.

Do not allow plants to dry out. Once established in your garden they will survive long periods of drought. Plants grow well in average well-drained soil. Small young plants are easier to establish than larger more mature ones and will grow quickly when planted in autumn when soil is moist and warm.

This plant is sensitive to phosphate therefore never apply fertilisers containing superphosphate or plant in soils which have received superphosphate within the last five years. Avoid cultivating near plants as their roots are easily damaged.

Apply mulch annually this will help suppress weeds and keep the soil cool. Leucadendrons prefer to have a mulch of stones opposed to a heavy mulch which may hold too much moisture. Feed annually in spring with a balanced fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre in spring as new growth begins. Prune off any old flowers after flowering to keep them compact and promote growth of next seasons flowering wood. In fact, pruning of Leucadendron doesn't just give you a nice bunch of flowers but helps keep the plant bushy and lush.

If newly planted plants are located in cooler situations it may be a good idea to cover with frost cloth on particularly cold nights for the first winter as young plants can be susceptible to frost damage.

Plants require good watering in winter and moderate watering in summer. Do not allow plants to dry out but once established in your garden they will survive long periods of drought.

Humid conditions favour leaf spot diseases and leaf roller caterpillars and thrips may attack leaves in summer, therefore, plant with plenty of spacing to allow air circulation.

African Garden

Leucadendron salignum is the most widespread species of the family Proteaceae occurring in a large part of South Africa. It is common from Port Elizabeth in the east to the north of Ceres in the west. It occurs on a wide range of soil types, from sea level to an altitude of 2000m and is quite variable in leaf size as well as leaf and bract colour. Leucadendrons are dioecious i.e. separate male and female plants. This is unusual in the protea family. Its long flowering season coupled with colourful leaves and bracts surrounding the flowers make this species an attractive garden plant.