Leucadendron Blooms?

When it comes to leucadendron, everyone knows 'Safari Sunset'.  With its deep burgundy bracts, it's by far the most the most popular variety.  But have you seen 'Maui Sunset' when its bracts take on a creamy white color and suddenly it becomes a gorgeous flower?  How about 'Harvest' or 'Strictum'?  These are only a few of the awesome alternatives to the fall favorite 'Safari Sunset' and they bloom winter through spring.

The colorful petals of the leucadendron are called bracts (modified leaves), and the true flower is actually nestled among these bracts and covered with styles or stamens.  The stamens will changes color from green to yellow to reddish-orange as the flowers bloom. 

In the past, large volumes of leucadendron foliage were shipped from South Africa to Europe, where it was sold in the flower markets as “Cape Greens” and treated as a long-lasting filler-foliage.  This image has changed with the realization that many leucadendron blooms are beautiful flowers in their own right. Here a just a few of our favorite blooms.

Pom Pom

Rainbow Gold

Eucalyptifolium

Red Eye

Discolor

Salignum Pink

Strictum

Tintum

Maui Sunset

Pisa

Harvest