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Leucospermum cordifolium 'Flame Spike' (Red Nodding Pincushion) - A rounded spreading evergreen shrub whose stems curve out and then up reaching to 6 feet tall by 6 feet wide with orange-colored pincushion flowers (technically the styles of many small flowers in a tight cluster) in late winter to early spring. This cultivar is noted as being later blooming, peaking in February and March and having some of the largest of the pincushion flowers with flower heads reaching 4 to 6 inches wide.
Plant in well-drained, amended (acidic) soil, along with full sun to ensure a bountiful bloom. It is drought tolerant and cold hardy to about 25 degrees F. Though relatively short lived in the garden, on average lasting about eight years, these plants can be a major and dramatic focal point in the garden and the flowers are great in arrangements.
The native habitat of Leucospermum cordifolium is restricted to only a small region the south Western Cape of South Africa, where it grows with only winter rainfall in acidic nutrient poor soils. The name for the genus comes from the Greek word 'leukos' meaning "white" and and 'sperma' meaning "seed" in reference to the white fleshy skin, called a elaiosome, that covers the seeds. The specific epithet comes from the Latin words 'cor' (Greek 'kardia') meaning "heart" and 'folius' meaning "a leaf" in reference to the heart shape of the leaves. We grew this variety from 1999 until 2009 from plants originally received from J&R Growers.
The information displayed on this page about Leucospermum cordifolium 'Flame Spike' is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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