Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil with occasional to infrequent irrigation - definitely a "drought tolerant" plant once established. It is hardy to around 25°F and perhaps a bit lower and is resistant to deer predation. As with others in the Proteaceae it is best to avoid using any Phosphorus fertilizer. Can be sheered and will rebound from its woody rootstock if cut hard. This plants large size and short stem length have kept it from being grown as a cut flower variety for the florist trade, but it is a great large landscape plant. It can be used as a specimen, as a hedge or windbreak that is quite attractive out of bloom with long lasting winter flowers that can certainly be cut and used by the home gardener.

The species Leucadendron salignum is a widespread species found throughout much of South Africa. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'leukos' meaning "white" and 'dendron' meaning tree in reference to the silver white Silver Tree, Leucadendron argenteum. The specific epithet means like a Salix, the genus of the willow, in reference to this plants narrow willow-like leaves.

We grew and sold this nice variety in 2017 and 2018 after receiving a bucket of stems from our friend Dennis Perry of Protea USA that we took our first cuttings of. Dennis was a speaker at our 1998 Field Day open house where he gave the talk Proteas for the California Garden & How to Maintain Their Vigor. 

This information about Leucadendron salignum 'Chief' 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.