Scabious Leucospermum vestitum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Leucospermum incisum
- Phonetic Spelling
- loo-koh-SPER-mum ves-TEE-tum
- Description
-
The Pincushion Flower is a flowering, subtropical, evergreen shrub, native to the Cape provinces of South Africa, and a member of the protea family. This family of about 1600 different species is found in the southern hemisphere, primarily in Australia and southern Africa. The Pincushion Flower is an upright, spreading shrub that at maturity in 5 to 10 years, can reach a height of 8 or 9 feet with an equal width. It has leathery leaves and the bright red flowers bloom from summer into winter and, as the common name implies, give the impression of a pincushion.
The Pincushion Flower does best in moist, well drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun. It does tolerate dry conditions, but is not particularly hardy and would require some shelter from winds. It can be pruned to control its size.
Pincushion Flower is drought-tolerant, good for xeriscaping, and loves full sun. Given the dry and hot native conditions of the plant, it would do best as a greenhouse plant in low-nutrient compost in full light. Water sparingly, but do not allow to dry out.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and other Plant Problems:
Susceptible to red spider mites. If the compost is too rich, it can cause the plant to fail.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Leucospernum
- Species:
- vestitum
- Family:
- Proteaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Cape Provinces of South Africa
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Wheel
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Large, 3 to 4 inch, showy two-toned flower heads that start orange turning to crimson. From the center of the flower long styles bend toward the center of the head creating the appearance of a pincushion.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Gray, oblong, 2 to 3 inch long and 1 1/2 inches wide leaves with two to four teeth near the tip of the leaf.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- 1/4 inch in diameter, stiff, upright stems covered in powdery hairs.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Wind
