Leucadendron salignum x laureolum Safari Goldstrike - Conebush

The Leucadendron 'Safari Goldstrike' is an ornamental bush native to South Africa that amazes with its golden yellow floral bracts, a spring flowering that brightens up coastal gardens. Used for creating colourful beds in favourable climate, or on an exotic terrace, this young plant is also extensively grown in New Zealand for cut flowers. The Leucadendron are most often grown in large pots, as it is essential to store them away at the first frosts.

The Leucadendron 'Safari Goldstrike' is a hybrid (cross-breeding between Leucadendron laureolum and L. strobolinum), selected for its upright habit and spectacular flowering. All these plants belong to the family of proteas and are native to the Cape Province in South Africa. 'Safari Goldstrike' can reach between 1.5 and 2 m in height with a similar spread. Grown in a pot, it will rarely exceed 1.20 m. Its evergreen, elliptical, slightly silvery leaves are approximately 5 to 8 cm long. The plant usually flowers from April to June in our climate. Large bright yellow bracts surround the floral cones, which are actually small decorative structures rather than typical flowers. The sturdy red stems provide a magnificent contrast with the colourful foliage and bracts.

The Leucadendron naturally grows in South African provinces with a Mediterranean-type climate, where it has adapted to drought conditions. It thrives only in sandy or loamy soil, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Hardy down to -5 °C at the most, it is only grown in the ground in climates where frosts are rare. Like Proteas, Leucadendrons are peculiar plants that need fire to break seed dormancy. However, unlike them, there are male and female plants.

The Leucadendron 'Safari Goldstrike' is planted in dry gardens, Mediterranean beds, or in large pots on terraces. In beds, it pairs well with plants like agapanthus, shrubby euphorbias (Euphorbia characias), and ornamental grasses like Miscanthus. It is great for creating colour and texture contrasts due to its yellow bracts and red stems. Versatile, it can also be pruned to make low hedges or more structured shapes in landscaping. In New Zealand, the flowers are highly valued in floristry, as they last long in bouquets while adding a beautiful exotic touch.