Leucadendron salignum 'Summer Red'

Common Name:

Plant Type:
Evergreen shrub
Family:
Proteaceae (The Protea Family)
Geographic Origin:
South and southern Africa
California Native?:
No

Plant Size:
4 feet high, 6 feet wide
Landscape/Garden Uses:
bold display
Flowering Season:
Winter and spring

Flower Color:
Red
Exposure:
Sun or light shade
Soils:
Well-drained soil

Suggested Irrigation:
Occasional to little watering
Estimated Hardiness:
Hardy to 20-25 degrees F.

Leucadendron salignum 'Summer Red' grows in a dense mass to 3-4 feet in height. Narrow new leaves in spring and summer are red, then mature to a pale green color. The female flowers have most of the parts of conventional flowers reduced to small scales, but their dense, cone-like clusters are surrounded by circles of leafy bracts which develop cream and red tones before and and during the actual flowering season. Male and female flowers are normally borne on separate plants in the genus Leucadendron. This plant requires a sunny spot and well drained soil (it can be quite poor; in fact it will resent heavy fertilizing). Occasional to infrequent watering.