Yellow Devil Leucadendron

Yellow Devil Leucadendron (Leucadendron salignum 'Yellow Devil') is a tall, dense evergreen shrub from South Africa, growing about 1.5m tall and wide. Slender lime green leaves surround long, teardrop shaped heads of creamy yellow 'flowers' (coloured bracts) with the true flower cones in the centre. It asks for very little water or care once it is established.

Why you'll love it

• Zesty colour. Lime foliage with creamy yellow heads brightens winter beds and pairs with almost anything.
• Tall and dense. It builds a thick, bushy shape about 1.5m tall and wide, good for hedges and backdrops.
• Frost tolerant to minus 5C. Cold nights hold no fear once the plant is established.
• Very little care. It is drought tolerant once established and rarely needs attention after planting.
• A natural partner. It mixes well with proteas, banksias, yellow grevilleas and white callistemons.

Where it works best

Hedges and screens. Plant 1.2m apart for a dense hedge about 1.5m high that holds its lime colour all year.

Mixed native and protea borders. Use drifts of three or five beside other Proteaceae, where the lime and cream tones lift darker foliage.

Large pots. A big container of free draining mix suits it on a sunny patio, provided drainage is sharp.

Growing Yellow Devil Leucadendron in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun. It is frost tolerant to minus 5C and copes with hot, dry sites, so it suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and semi arid gardens. In humid subtropical gardens, give it an airy spot with sharp drainage.

Soil. Free draining soil on the acid side suits it best. Avoid lime and heavy, wet ground, and plant on a mound in clay.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly during the first 4 to 6 weeks, or until established, and it is then drought tolerant. Use a low phosphorus native fertiliser if you feed it at all.

Pruning. Tip prune lightly after the colour fades to hold the shape, and do not cut into bare wood. Stems cut for the vase serve as pruning.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Yellow Devil Leucadendron as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes suit a long hedge on a budget, while the 140mm pots arrive a little larger and give a faster start. Plant out soon after delivery and water regularly while the roots settle.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the leucadendron range
• Compare the best hedging plants
• More plants for full sun
• Grevillea care guide for companion plants

Common questions

Is it a good hedge plant?

Yes, it is tall, dense and bushy to about 1.5m. Plant it 1.2m apart and clip lightly to keep the shape, avoiding bare wood.

What fertiliser should I use?

A low phosphorus native fertiliser, and only if the plant needs it. It is a very hardy, low maintenance shrub that rarely wants feeding.

Does it need acid soil?

It does best in free draining soil on the acid side. Avoid lime, and improve drainage rather than adding rich compost.