Leucospermum conocarpodendron ssp.viridum (Tree Pincushion) - A large, rounded shrub to 6+ feet tall by slightly wider spread with glossy green leaves and showy yellow-gold flowers in spring to mid-summer.
As this plant comes from areas of well-draining granite and sandstone soils on dry coastal mountain slopes it appreciates being planted in the garden in an open sunny site with well drained soils. It is tolerant of light frosts and temperatures to 25-30° F. This plant has proven itself a good garden plant in southern California and is notable also for its long lasting cut flowers.
In South Africa this species gets to be a small tree with a gnarled trunk to 15 ft tall. It was among the first of the pincushions to be described by settlers in South Africa. There are two subspecies, with subspecies conocarpodendron having a range restricted to soils weathered from Cape Granite NW Cape Peninsula and subspecies viridum being a more widespread plant with green foliage. 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 "conocarpodendron" means cone-fruit-tree. We grew this plant from 2004 to 2007 and it is one parent with Leucospermum glabrum the other of the beautiful hybrid 'VeldFire'
This information about Leucospermum conocarpodendron ssp.viridum displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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