FROM THE GROUND UP

Perfect pairing

Easy-care, drought-tolerant leucadendron ideal plant for Coronado’s sandy soil

By NANCY NYGARD

Shrubs frequently get short shrift in residential landscapes. Though the backbone of most yards, shrubs are rarely thought of as exciting garden elements. They are usually relegated to the thankless role of lining foundations and fences or as nondescript gap fillers in perennial beds.

A unique shrub gardeners can use to enliven their landscapes is the mighty leucadendron, a colorful South African native that checks every box on a gardener’s wish list: It’s low maintenance, low water and loves Coronado’s sandy soil. There’s no reason not to plant a leucadendron in your yard.

Leucadendrons comprise a genus of approximately 80 shrub species in the proteaceae family. Also known as coneflowers, mature varieties range from 3 to 10 feet tall, although the towering ‘Silver Tree’ variety can reach a height of 25 feet. The plant’s unique flowers are actually seed-bearing cones surrounded by colorful bracts. Waxy evergreen leaves grow beneath the bracts in a spiral, creating a striking visual impact.

These hardy, drought-tolerant evergreen shrubs are perfect for our Southern California Mediterranean climate and make

« The leucadendron’s flowers are actually seed-bearing cones surrounded by colorful

bracts. DREAMSTIME PHOTO

Leucadendrons also provide an abundant source of year-round, long-lasting cut flowers.

KAROLINA GRABOWSKA / PEXELS excellent garden specimen plants, colorful hedges or a worthy companion shrub tucked among succulents. Leucadendrons also provide an abundant source of yearround, long-lasting cut flowers. They can last up to four weeks in a vase with regular water changes. But to thrive near the coast, leucadendrons require full sun. Don’t try to get away with partial shade or your plant will languish and suffer a slow, withering death. There’s no need for soil amendments or compost. And the local sandy soil provides excellent drainage. Like all Mediterranean plants, leucadendrons do not like wet feet.

If you Google leucadendron, one of the first autofill questions is “Why is my leucadendron dying.” Besides a lack of full sun, there are two main reasons. 1) Phosphate fertilizers: Phosphorous is coneflower kryptonite. Do not fertilize this plant with any fertilizer that includes phosphorous. Its specialized proteoid roots are extremely efficient at drawing trace amounts of phosphorous out of even the poorest soil, so a concentrated blast of phosphorous fertilizer will cause the roots to absorb a lethal dose. Avoid fertilizing any nearby plants with a phosphate fertilizer — including grass — as watering could cause fertilizer to seep into the leucadendron’s roots. 2) Overwatering: Though they appear tropical, leu-

DREAMSTIME PHOTO

Some leucadendron varieties make great hedges. Be sure to plant in full sun.

cadendrons thrive with little water once established. Like most plants, they need regular watering during their first year. After your leucadendron is established, resist the urge to show your love by watering. Leucadendrons are not thirsty plants; use that water elsewhere in your garden.

November is an excellent time for planting shrubs in Coronado. Fall transplants will have time to settle in the warm soil and establish strong root systems, which will be nurtured by winter rains.

Here are some varieties to consider: • Safari Sunset: One of the most popular Leucadendron cultivars, these plants produce excellent, long-lasting cut flowers. A tall and vigorous grower that can easily reach 8 to 10 feet, Safari Sunset is known for its erect dense growth habit, dark green foliage and rich red bracts that look attractive year-round, but especially through autumn and winter. A massing of this fast-growing shrub would create a stunning hedge. • Jester: This variegated garden gem sports bright pinks, yellows and greens. (Colors will vary depending on temperature and water.) This is a smaller variety,

reaching only 4 to 5 feet at maturity. Jester grows more slowly than other leucadendron cultivars and is an excellent choice for smaller gardens or as a container plant. • Golden Tips: A compact bushy shrub with bright red stems, Golden Tips’ growth habit is less upright than other leucadendrons. It normally grows 3 feet by 3 feet but can be kept smaller through occasional pruning. The shrub is another fine choice for smaller gardens because it’s dependable mixer plant featuring cheery yellow bracts, which become edged with crimson during winter. • Ebony: This distinctively colored compact shrub grows approximately 3 feet tall by 3 to 4 feet wide. The show-stopping blackish-purple foliage and burgundy red bracts of Ebony make it an unforgettable plant in the ground or a large container. Ebony is usually more costly than other leucadendron cultivars but well worth the investment.

Leucadendrons yield big rewards with little effort. What’s the most difficult thing about leucadendrons? Learning to spell their name.

Happy planting. ■

Nancy Nygard is a freelance writer and UCCE Master Gardener.