Ask the DBG.

Good luck with this, but I doubt that they are going to be successful. There are few growers of Proteas/Leucadendrons/Leucospermums here in California away from the coastal influenced areas. High summer heat is one problem, freezing winters is another,(although as you say, some Leucadendrons are tolerant down to low 20'sF), and water quality issues can also be a concern. All that being said, good air circulation, well drained soil with an inorganic mulch to keep the soil surface as cool as possible, and no irrigation when the soil temperatures are conducive to phytophthera infection is your best bet. I would suspect that growing them in bright shade or under the protection of Mesquite or Palo Verde trees is your best bet, similar to how you would grow heat sensitive Aloe species or summer-sun intolerant Agaves. There aren't any Leucadendron species that I can think of that grow well outside of the Fynbos vegetation belts and extend into more desert-like areas to the north of the Cape Region. Certainly not L. salignum varieties, which are always more coastal or at elevation in coastal mountain ranges within the winter rainfall areas of the Western Cape.

While parts of the Western Cape can get quite hot and dry on occasion, it doesn't last for weeks/months in succession, nor do the nights stay so hot as they can/do in subtropical Colorado desert climates.

I tried growing some kind of Leucadendron--they weren't labeled--about 20 years ago. From their reputation, I planted them in a very sandy spot with afternoon shade. They managed to squeak by the first summer, but the second summer did for them, and they never really looked healthy. Since I have learned a few things in the interval, I might do better today, but my impression is that they are more trouble than they are worth. Right now I am checking out the Hakeas, which the Western Garden Book says will grow here, but I have never seen any here. Anyone got a notion of how those do here?

Kevin : )

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate them. Good information, suggestions, and experiences. Loved hearing them.

It sounds like I should enjoy them while I can, LOL. I've sited them where I thought they had their best chances: dappled shade on slighly sloped ground that's fairly well-draining (for my soil, anyway). Like I said, the bulk of my garden is made up of workhorse plants that love it here, but these were interesting experiments so we'll see what we see. I'll definitely keep an eye on watering and fertilizers.

I've had great luck with several Callistemons (who in the Valley hasn't, LOL?), Eremophila, Dwarf Eucalyptus, Melaleucas, Grevilleas (not the silk oak type) etc so I thought these were the natural progression, heh heh.

Below is a pic of one of the Leucadendrons in bloom, it's the smaller L. salignum (the hybrid L. 'Safari Sunset' is much larger in scale). I'm glad I resisted the variegated form, sheesh!

{{gwi:424414}}

Thanks again for the tips, tricks and suggestions. I'll post some updates, even if it's to say they were lovely, short-term in-ground bouquets!

Take care,
Grant

Why is it so hard to find this plant for sale online? All I find are seeds.

I'm very interested in growing this plant as well. Especially the King Protea.

oh I'll definitely let you guys know if I find a source online LOL

What type of soil do you have yours growing in?

looks like I found the mother load!

http://www.australianplants.com/plants.aspx?filter=true&key=category&value=G

scroll down towards the middle of the page. :D

the mail order plants are a bit pricey though

oops wrong link above^

here's the correct one

http://www.australianplants.com/plants.aspx?filter=true&key=category&value=S