Leucadendron argenteum

RHS Plant Profile

silver tree

Other common names

South African pine

Synonyms

Protea argentea

Trees

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Upright, pyramidal to columnar tree with robust stems densely covered with narrow, pointed, shiny, silver-hairy leaves up to 15cm long. In spring and summer produces terminal, spherical flower heads, yellow-green on male plants, greenish silver on females. If pollinated these develop into silver cones that may remain on the plant for several years

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–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): H3

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: Leucadendron are small evergreen trees and shrubs grown for their cone-like clusters of flowers surrounded by large, leaf-like, often colourful bracts. Both male and female plants are needed to produce fruiting cones. The stems are clothed in leathery, stalkless leaves
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Temp S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

May survive outdoors in the mildest areas in a warm, sunny position with poor, neutral to acid, free-draining soil. Otherwise grow in a warm greenhouse in a mix of 3 parts peat-substitute, 3 parts grit or perlite and 1 part lime-free compost. Do not overwater. Feed with half-strength magnesium sulphate and urea in spring and autumn

Propagation

Root semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Cut flowers
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite when grown under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free