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Upcoming Sales!

Native Plant Sale Extravaganza  
Sunday, October 7
10am till 4pm
in association with the
Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour.
Featuring presentations
by local designer
Kelly Marshall

End of Year Closeout 
Saturday October 13

9am till 1pm

More to follow on this sale. 








 
 
Markham Regional Arboretum Society
1202 La Vista Avenue
Concord, California.
925-681-2968

Nursery Hours:
Tuesdays 9am till Noon.
 
The Mighty Cone Bushes

South Africa has plenty to boast about when it comes to plants. The Proteas and Leucospermums (Pincushions) are the darlings of the floral trade, the Restios provide a lush elegance that bamboos can only dream of and the bulbs are out of this world. But when it comes to tough, reliable plants that thrive in our local climate and soils it's hard match the Leucadendrons (Conebush).



'Safari Sunset' is a member of the Protea family and the best example of the Leucadendron cultivars on the market. Strangely enough it was was bred (not in South Africa, but) in New Zealand in the 1960's.



As mentioned above 'Safari Sunset' is a great choice for our climate and soils. It makes a striking evergreen screen to 8-10' if unpruned and (until I'm proven wrong) is resistant to gophers and moles. The terminal bracts start to color up in late summer before opening slightly to showcase a golden flush. Vase life can extend beyond two weeks with water changes.



Looking for something a little more unusual? Leucadendron 'Jester' is a sport from 'Safari Sunset' and again was introduced by a New Zealander in the 1980's (Clearly sheep herding and rugby weren't keeping the kiwi's busy enough).



'Jester' usually tops out at 5' if left unpruned and shares the same garden tolerances as its parent. The olive and cream variegation in the foliage persists and provides a nice contrast to the rich red bracts in the cooler months.

Both Leucadendrons can take hard pruning to correct form and only require once a week irrigation (or less) once established.

Both are available in gallon sizes at the nursery.