Leucadendron Salignum 'Cheeky'

Leucadendron ‘Cheeky’

Botanical Name: Leucadendron salignum ‘Cheeky’
Family: Proteaceae
Origin: South Africa (adapted beautifully to Southern Australian conditions)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

Bring year-round colour and structure to your garden with Leucadendron salignum ‘Cheeky’ — a compact, hardy Protea family shrub that thrives in Adelaide’s warm, dry climate. This vibrant variety produces bright red and gold bracts through autumn and winter, creating eye-catching displays in garden beds, borders, and native plantings. Perfect for sunny, free-draining positions, it handles coastal conditions, wind, and drought with ease.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 1–1.2 m H × 0.8–1 m W
• Growth Rate: 20-40 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Glossy green leaves that develop bronze to burgundy tints in cooler weather or under strong sun
• Flowers (Bracts): Bright red and gold bracts through autumn and winter, offering striking colour and lasting display for floral arrangements
  
• Seasonal Interest: Long bract display in the cooler months, plus warm foliage tones in winter for extended visual appeal
• Wildlife Value: Attracts nectar-feeding birds, bees and insects throughout the flowering season
• Tolerance: Highly drought-, heat-, wind- and coastal-tolerant once established; tolerates light frost (protect from heavy frosts)
• Planting Density: 1–1.5 plants per m² for a dense hedge or display, or single specimens as accents
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ingesting large quantities may cause mild stomach upset)

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Prefers full sun for best colour and compact shape; tolerates light shade
• Soil: Free-draining sandy or loamy soils; performs well in slightly saline or coastal positions; avoid heavy clay or poorly drained sites
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Low maintenance – light tip prune after flowering to shape and encourage new growth; avoid high-phosphorus fertilisers
• Lifespan: 10–15+ years with minimal care
• Climate Zones: Mediterranean and temperate, ideal for Adelaide, Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, and coastal South Australia
• Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic or alkaline (tolerates mild variation)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Feature shrub for native or waterwise gardens
• Coastal plantings—tough, salt-tolerant, and reliable in sea breeze areas
• Excellent cut foliage and bracts for floral arrangements
• Great contrast against grevilleas, kangaroo paws, and westringias

Why You Will Love It

‘Cheeky’ brings cheerful, long-lasting colour through the cooler months when most gardens fade, and it asks for almost nothing in return. It’s the perfect low-maintenance performer for Adelaide gardens — bold, bright, and beautifully tough.