Leucadendron salignum Fireglow - Conebush

Leucadendron Fireglow is a bush of South African origin related to Proteas, intensely exotic in appearance but sensitive to cold and somewhat delicate to cultivate. It is a very attractive garden plant when the soil and climate are conducive to its cultivation. This Fireglow variety stands out for its beautiful long flowering period in yellow to purplish red tones, in the form of small, remarkably coloured flame-shaped bract collars. Its fine foliage, tinged with green and purple, also doesn't lack elegance. Increasingly used in contemporary or Mediterranean inspired designs - in beds or on its own, particularly by the sea - Leucadendrons require a poor, perfectly drained soil and a very sunny site. Cultivation in large pots is preferable, outside the mildest areas, as it will be imperative to protect the young plant as soon as the first frosts arrive.

The Leucadendron Fireglow is from the Proteaceae family and derived from Leucadendron salignum, a species found in the Cape province of South Africa. Like Proteas, Leucadendrons are strange plants in every respect, needing fire to germinate their seeds. Unlike proteas, Leucadendron have distinct male and female plants.  'Fireglow' forms a dense, bushy shrub with a compact habit. This vigorous variety quickly reaches 1.50m (5 ft) in height for 1.20m (4 ft) in spread. Multiple stems emerge from a stump capable of regenerating after a fire. They carry narrow and long, elliptical, green but dark red tinged evergreen leaves covered with a waxy bloom. Flowering usually occurs from February to April in European climates. The small flowers, arranged in more or less conical inflorescences, are surrounded by very conspicuous long bracts, organised in stars, whose colour varies over time from yellow to orange, to red and purple, giving the whole a flamboyant appearance.  

Leucadendron Fireglow is a sensational plant of very mild climates, which leaves no-one indifferent. Ideally planted in a coastal garden spared from heavy frosts, in light, poor, mineral, rather acidic soil. It will look good as a solitary specimen, on large slopes or at the back of exotic beds, but always in the open, in full sun. In an exotic-themed garden it can be combined with plants that appreciate the same growing conditions: Canary Island Viperine, Royal Protea, Euphorbia characias, Nolina siberica, Great Ferula, Yucca rigida, Melianthus major, or moderately developing palm trees like the Blue Palm from Mexico (Brahea armata). In South Africamthe flowers are highly appreciated in floristry as they last a long time in bouquets while providing fantastic colour.