Leucospermum cordifolium Yellow Carnival

The Leucospermum cordifolium ‘Yellow Carnaval’, commonly known as the Pin Cushion, is a bush of South-African origin related to proteas. This densely flower-bearing hybrid variety reaches a height of approximately 2 m (6 ft 7 in) at ripeness, and 1.50 m (0 and 4 ft 11 in) in width. Its long spring flowering consists of an abundance of original, bright yellow inflorescences. It is a seaside bush, well adapted to sea sprays as well as sandy and dry soils in summer, where it can become a magnificent specimen, with a strongly exotic habit. Continental gardeners might opt for container cultivation on the terrace, to be stored away in winter.

The Leucospermum cordifolium ‘Yellow Carnival’ belongs to the proteaceae family, just like the Grevillea and the Protea. The Leucospermum is native to South Africa, where it can be found in its natural state in the coastal heathlands and sclerophyllous (dry) forests. It spontaneously develops on sandy, acidic, leached and draining soils, but it adapts very well to both rocky and clayey (non-limey) or more loamy soils. Its aspect and morphology vary a lot depending on its habitat, several subspecies and ecotypes actually exist.

This medium-sized bush, with a bushy and ramified habit, and a rather slow growth, generally forms a rounded crown. It will reach on average 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in height and 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in width, depending on the cultivation conditions. Its branches carried on one or several trunks with a corky bark are covered with tough and glabrous leaves, of a medium green. They are densely gathered in a spiral around the stem. The flowering can occur from March to May, depending on the climate. It is not uncommon for the bush to flower more sporadically outside these periods, depending on the region. The generous pin cushion inflorescences are bright and luminous yellow. These flowers are very popular with foraging insects. Most of the Leucospermum species are pyrophytes, meaning that they need the heat of fire to burst their fruits and release the seeds.

The Leucospermum ‘Yellow Carnival’ is an rather sensational plant that does not leave anyone indifferent. Despite its lack of hardiness (up to -5°C for short periods), this bush is quite easy to grow in coastal gardens, in sandy and poor soil, regularly dried out. Particularly adapted to the Mediterranean climate, it copes with difficult, dry to arid soils. It will look good on its own, always in a clear situation to allow it to develop without hindrance. In an exotic garden, it can be associated with the Canary or Madeira Viperine, Puya, Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia mellifera, the Giant Fennel, Leucadendron, Melianthus major, Melaleuca gibbosa, Acacia karoo (Mimosa), palm trees (Trachicarpus fortunei, Sabal minor) or even grevilleas. It adapts well to container cultivation, which allows it to be stored away in winter outside very mild climate regions. Its flowers are appreciated for their long vase life, allowing for the creation of fabulous bouquets in bright colours.

An original root system, adapted to poor and dry soils:

Plants growing in soil poor in nutrients often form a symbiosis with soil fungi that promote the absorption of water and nutrients. But the Proteaceae have chosen another strategy: they develop a large amount of special lateral roots all along their roots. These roots are called proteoid, and are induced by rain, they develop under the pile of dead leaves covering the base of the plant. Rain promotes the decomposition of leaves which results in the release of nutrients. These ephemeral roots generally dry up at the end of the growth period. They have a water and nutrient absorption activity twice as high as the "normal" roots.