I love
Leucadendron. I brought one,
L. 'Wilson's Wonder,' here in a pot from my old garden, which lacked the sun to support more. Once in the ground, its growth exploded and I've planted many more since.
L. 'Wilson's Wonder' was featured in a
prior favorites post, which also included a peek at this week's favorite,
Leucadendron 'Pisa,' then confined to a decorative pot. This week,
L. 'Pisa' finally got a new home. I carefully dug it out of its pot and planted it in the new bed along the backyard patio.
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| More plants will be added soon to keep the Leucadendron, Furcraea, and Anigozanthos company |
The foliage is a little spare around the base. I plan to put an
Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt,' also currently confined to a pot and showing its unhappiness with that arrangement, at the foot of the
Leucadendron. I hope that and a little judicious pruning will take care of its bare limbs.
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| In its pot, Euphorbia 'Dean's Hybrid' filled in around the base of Leucadendron 'Pisa' |
The silvery foliage is the evergreen shrub's chief attribute. It produces cream-colored flower-like bracts and cones but mine has yet to do so. Maybe next spring. In the meantime, I'm happy just to gaze at the foliage.
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| L. 'Pisa's' foliage is particularly beautiful when backlit by the sun |
According to San Marcos Growers,
L. 'Pisa' is hardy to 20-25F (minus 6.7 to 3.9C) and prefers full sun and moderate water. In its former position in a pot, it got morning shade and afternoon sun. In its new position, only about 8 feet away, it gets sun from early morning to mid-afternoon, at least this time of year. Hopefully, it'll be happy with the new placement. Estimates of its height range from 4 to 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4m) tall and 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5m) wide. Mine is currently about 3 feet tall and almost 2 feet wide.
A hybrid of
Leucadendron floridum,
Leucadendron 'Pisa' is my favorite plant this week and my contribution to Loree's favorite plants feature at
danger garden. However, I can't resist showing you another silver conebush,
L. meridianum 'More Silver,' a recent purchase. Isn't she pretty?
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| Leucadendron 'More Silver' has her feet in the ground but her body in a tomato cage, which provides protection against the malicious raccoons until her roots are firmly established |
Click here to see Loree's favorite and to find links to what other gardeners' are drooling over this week.
All material
© 2012-2014 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
