Leucospermum have attractive spiky yellow, red and orange flower heads and contrasting grey-green foliage.
These fantastic flowering plants can be used to make a mass display that will attract birds to your garden.
The height of individual species and cultivars varies, from low growing types to taller growing species.
Or use them as feature plants with the smaller growing types being suited to growing in containers in a courtyard or on a patio.
Plants can take 2-3 years to begin producing masses of flowers.
With long lasting vibrant and colourful flowers from spring through summer, requiring little maintenance and ideal for both the garden and containers, Leucospermum are well worth a place in the garden.
Leucospermum Care
All are tolerant of coastal conditions, and are drought tolerant once established.
Poor soils are no problem although they will grow a lot better in a humus rich well drained soil.
Top basic care tips for Leucospermum
- Plant in full sun
- A well drained soil is essential
- Do not fertilize, or use a very weak low phosphorus fertilizer, during growth periods..
- Do not water in summer unless you have a very long hot dry period.
- Only water in the evening.
Pruning Leucospermum
- Remove spent flower heads always leaving good leafy growth on the stem.
- Other stems can be taken back to a similar height.
- Remove any weak stems that are ‘floppy’ or not upright.
- Always leave 5 – 6 leaf nodes
Leucospermum Varieties
Species such as the low growing Leucospermum bolusii with its flat flower heads, L.cuneiform, L. glabrum, the orange flowering L. patersonii and the interesting
- L. heterophyllum the tridentleaf pincushion a prostrate form with creamy flowers is a low growing species are available for sale, including .
- Leucospermum reflexum, with bits strong upright habit is popular variety for cut flowers
- L. oleifolium which will reach around 1m in height, yellow and red flowering flower.
- Cultivars and hybrids such L cordifolium x glabrum (picture right) have much improved flower forms and are winners in any garden.
- L. pattersonii will reach around 3m.
Further Reading
These are another valuable garden plant from the Proteaceae family. Widely used in landscaping with excellent drought tolerant properties and attractive flowers.
All species such as L. Cordifolium (picture right) with its stunning yellow to orange flowers depending on cultivar are outstanding bird attracting plant, flowers also are great as cut flowers and are used widely in the florist industry.