Plants in the Protea family are admired as cut flowers, notable for the unusual architecture of their large blossoms. But they are less often seen planted in gardens. Mostly native to South Africa ...

Among them are the colorful, exotic-looking shrubby pincushions, Leucospermum. These Protea cousins are well known in San Diego’s cut-flower industry. Recently, they have crossed over into ...

Pincushion (Leucospermum cordifolium). This rounded spreading shrub grows to 6 feet in diameter and about 5 feet high, one to three large inflorescences at the end of a single stem.

Tough and drought-tolerant, cone bushes can add color to a dry garden yet have a fullness, even a lush quality, to create a stunning landscape with other Protea family members.

Above: A southern double-collared sunbirds feeds on a pincushion protea (Leucospermum species). Above: the flowers of wild dagga (Leonotis leonurus) are irresistible to sunbirds.

AN exciting new business venture is putting Greytown on the map throughout KwaZulu-Natal as magnificent proteas feature in many homes and offices. Juanita Mason of Brayleigh farm, on the outskirts of ...

Local news News Garden glory at Thornhill Manor Pincushion Proteas or Leucospermum is a genus of about 50 species of flowering plants in the family Proteaceae.

The common name refers to the long, slender stigmas extending from the flower clusters like pins from a pincushion. At the Ruth Bancroft Garden, we have a winter-blooming hybrid named Leucospermum ...