My favorite plant this week is one I've featured here and there in earlier posts,
Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder.' This is one of the relatively few plants I brought with me from our former home when we moved 3 years ago. There, it was in a large clay pot in the driveway close to the front door in one of the few sunny spots we had with a
Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' at its base. I planted it in the ground here at the front of the house shortly after we moved in. The
Abelia, its roots tied almost inextricably with those of the
Leucadendron, remained at its base.
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| Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder,' photographed in January |
This plant is attractive year round. In mid-August, I featured the new bracts, which glowed red.
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| The same Leucadendron, photographed in mid-August |
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| Close-up of Leucadendron bracts in August |
In winter, yellow cones form and the surrounding bracts take on a pale yellow shade.
Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder,' which hails from South Africa, grows about 6 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. It prefers full sun but can tolerate a little partial shade. It likes well-drained soil and is moderately drought tolerant. It's reported to be frost tolerant to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4C). It's adapted to USDA zones 9-11 (Sunset zones 16, 17, 20-24 and H1).
The "flowers," which appear in late winter to early spring, are useful in flower arrangements. The cones, as they mature, will turn brown.
I have a few other
Leucadendrons in my garden, all newer introductions; however, none yet make the splash created by
'Wilson's Wonder.'![]() |
| Leucadendron salignum 'Chief,' which was planted last January |
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| Leucadendron 'Ebony,' acquired in September, hasn't done much since it was planted |
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| Leucadendron 'Pisa' is in a pot for now but I have great hopes for it |
L. 'Wilson's Wonder' is my contribution to Loree's weekly meme at
danger garden highlighting her favorite plants. You can see her current selection and those offered by other gardeners,
here.
