Leucospermum 'Veldfire' (Veldfire Pincushion) - A medium sized evergreen shrub that grows 4 to 6 feet tall by 6 to 8 feet wide with large (3 1/2" long by 2 inches wide) dark green leaves that have red on the dentations at the leaf tip. From gray cone-like structures emerge the 4-inch-wide flower heads with yellow erect anthers and red "ribbons" (these form the ball of the flower) that are present from late winter through spring into early summer.
Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally – in coastal gardens this plant is drought tolerant. It is reliably hardy to 26 degrees F and noted as possibly hardier (to the low 20s). As with other Leucospermum this plant is sensitive to Phosphorus and so fertilizers containing this element should not be applied to it.
Leucospermum 'Veldfire' is considered to be a hybrid between the Ember Pincushion, Leucospermum glabrum and the Grey Tree Pincushion, Leucospermum conocarpodendron. Though this hybrid reportedly originated in South African, it was first introduced in New Zealand at the Horticultural Research Centre at Levine, near the southern tip of the North Island, through an exchange program between them and the University of Hawaii . The name for the genus is derived from the Greek word 'leukos' meaning "white" and 'sperma' meaning "seed". We have been selling this plant since 1998 and it is a extremely showy and reliable garden plant but is not considered to be that good for the cut flower trade as it has short stems and the flower heads snap off too easily from the stems.
The information about Leucospermum 'Veldfire' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include 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 we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |