Leucospermum cordifolium

RHS Plant Profile

heart-shaped leaved pincushion protea

RHS

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

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A rounded, spreading, evergreen shrub with stalkless, leathery leaves to 8cm long. From early spring to mid-summer, horizontal or arching stems that bendupwards at the tips produce large, spherical flower heads up to 12cm across, comprising numerous orange, red or yellow styles

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Proteaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Leucospermum are evergreen shrubs and small trees with leathery leaves and dense, cone-like flowerheads with prominent, often brightly-coloured, styles
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in low-nutrient compost in full light. Water sparingly in winter, but do not allow to dry out. Die back and general failure to thrive usually indicates that the compost is too rich

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Mediterranean climate plants
Cut flowers

Pruning

Pruning group 1, though may need pruning to control size

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free