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Leucadendron discolor 'Pom Pom' (Pom-pom Flame Tips) - A showy male flowering selection of the large-flowered and long-stemmed Leucadendron discolor. It is a medium-sized erect shrub growing to 7 feet tall by 5 feet wide with with blue-gray, oval-shaped leaves that will often take on purple tones during cool weather. In the spring appear the attractive bright-red pollen "cones" surrounded by white to pale-yellow, petal-like bracts.
Plant in full sun. A bit problematic in that the plant thrives in acidic and well-drained soil, conditions that are not typical in southern California but where soils are good or can be modified this is an exceptional and showy plant. Though considered to be a fairly drought-tolerant shrub it requires a bit more careful irrigation practices than other mediterranean climate plants, especially where soil drainage is not optimum to assure the it neither receives too much or too little water. It is cold hardy to 20°F and is reported to have good deer resistance. Great as a short screening plant and for flower arrangements.
Leucadendron discolor 'Pom Pom' was selected in 1986 and registered as 'Pom-pom' with Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Institute (VOPI) in South Africa in 1993 and imported to UC Santa Cruz Arboretum in 1994. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'leukos' meaning "white" and 'dendron' meaning tree in reference to the silver tree, Leucadendron argentum. We have grown this plant on and off since 2010, mostly off when our propagation stock gets sold because they are the largest showiest plants in the block.
According to our friend Dennis Perry, who has long specialized in growing South African Proteaceae in California, 'Pom Pom' is the best selection of Leucadendron discolor and makes a wonderful long lasting cut flower. He notes that one should prune hard during flowering for the cut flowers or just after to maintain the vigor of the plant and to control its size. 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 discolor 'Pom Pom' 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.
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