Leucadendron 'Pisa' - This is a vigorous grower becomes a dense, evergreen erect shrub to 8 feet tall with silvery gray-green leaves that twist along the length of the leaf, a characteristic that can help to identify this cultivar when out of bloom. The "flowers" consist of lime-sulfur bracts surrounding a large silver female cone in late spring and early summer on stems to 3 feet long.
Plant in full sun, in well-drained soil and avoid over fertilizing - don't use fertilizer with phosphorus. Water moderately to occasionally. This plant takes seaside conditions and is frost hardy (down to approximately 20 degrees F). Prune after flowering to promote new growth and a denser habit.
The name Pisa comes from the leaning Tower of Pisa and alludes to this plant's habit of leaning in the wind. It is a Leucadendron floridum hybrid that originated in the 1976 from seed imported into New Zealand by Geoff Jewell. It was introduced into the trade by Duncan & Davies Nursery of New Plymouth, New Zealand in 1978 and we grew it at our nursery from 1992 until 2020.
The information about Leucadendron 'Pisa' 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. |