Leucadendron galpinii (Galpin's Leucadendron) - This is an upright evergreen shrub that grows to 6-7 feet tall and about 5 feet wide. It has soft, narrow, silvery-gray leaves. Male flowers are yellow pompons and the female flowers are silvery-gray cones flushed with pink. All of our plants are cutting grown and are female.
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil. Apply regular to occasional irrigation. It is hardy to about 20-25° F. A very usefull and durable plant in the garden and the flowering cones are great in flower arrangements.
Leucadendron galpinii is native to Western Cape of South Africa, where it grow on low lying areas of the Riversdale plain in sandy soils. 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 and the specific epithet honors Ernest Edward Galpin (1858–1941), a South African botanist and banker who collected plants extensively in the region. He was called "the Prince of Collectors" by the South African statesman and military leader Field Marshal Jan Christian Smuts and has many South African plants named after him. Other common names for this species are Hairless Conebush and Silver Balls. We grew this attractive plant from 1997 until 2010 from mother stock was originally obtained from Dennis Perry.
The information about Leucadendron galpinii 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. |