Leucadendron ‘Safari Sunset’ blooming for Valentine’s Day

It’s the day before Valentine’s Day. I just got back from our neighborhood grocery store, and I had a hard time making my way through the greeting card aisle (my shortcut to the bakery section) because there were dozens of shopping cards filled with cut flowers in anticipation of brisk business later today and tomorrow.

Among the many bouquets, I spotted some leucadendrons, which, together with proteas, have become quite popular in the cut-flower trade. After I got back from the store, I decided to check on the Leucadendron salignum × laureolum ‘Safari Sunset’ in our front yard. Lo and behold, it’s finally blooming!

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While it’s still a juvenile plant and not as impressive as it will eventually be, I loved seeing the reddish bracts wide open to reveal the actual flower within.

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From now on, I will always associated Valentine’s Day with flowering leucadendrons!

Comments

  1. What a fabulous Valentines day bouquet! Lucky you.

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    1. I'm excited!! Now if only my Grevillea 'Superb' gots its act together and flowered...

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  2. It looks wonderful, happy and healthy. Jealous--mine died!

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  3. What a beautiful exotic flower! I am also waiting for Grevillea to bloom. It's covered in tiny, tight buds.

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  4. A unique alternative to roses :) lucky you have them flowering! Must check ours when we return.

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  5. I'm glad to see yours doing well in Davis - I'm in Auburn and am thinking about them. Do you do anything special when it gets especially cold?

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    1. Katie, good to hear from you! I do cover my leucadendron with a frost blanket when the temperatures drop below 30°F or so. I hope this helps.

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    2. Great info I hope to use next winter. I didn't realize they could be ok inland, but am super happy to hear! Thanks.

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