Leucospermum cordifolium

Leucospermum cordifolium is an upright, evergreen shrub in the Protaceae family, native to South Africa and Zimbabwe. Like proteas, it has a globe-shaped pincushion-type flowers in red and yellow. While commonly grown in South African gardens, it’s less well known in the UK. Indeed, Leucospermum cordifolium is farmed for the cut flower industry, so you’re more likely to have seen the blooms in bouquets, than growing in gardens.

However, that’s not to say that Leucospermum cordifolium can’t be grown in the UK. You’ll just need to offer protection in winter or grow it in a container, which you can move indoors in autumn.

Grow Leucospermum cordifolium in well-drained, nutrient-poor, acidic soil in full sun. Water sparingly and don’t feed. In autumn, move container-grown plants indoors for winter, or wrap the plant to protect it from frost.