Leucadendron Bridal Bouquet
Leucadendron Bridal Bouquet is an evergreen shrub grown for its ornamental bracts, which open creamy white and develop a blushed pink tone as the season progresses. The colourful bracts surround a central cone and hold their colour for many weeks, making this leucadendron a reliable source of long-lasting garden interest. Mature plants reach around 1 to 1.5m high and wide.
This leucadendron suits a coastal garden, a dry sunny border, or a modern low-water planting. Use it as a feature shrub or plant several together for a soft, layered effect. It pairs well with other leucadendrons, proteas, and ornamental grasses in a textured, water-wise bed.
Grow Bridal Bouquet in full sun with free-draining, low-phosphorus soil. Sandy or gravelly ground suits it well. It dislikes heavy, wet soil and high-nutrient conditions. Good airflow around the plant helps keep it healthy. This leucadendron is not suited to frost-prone inland areas such as Central Otago or inland Southland without protection.
Water regularly through the first season to establish roots, then reduce watering as the plant settles in. Leucadendrons are not listed as toxic to pets, but as with any garden plant, discourage chewing as a general precaution.
Trimming: Prune after the bracts fade, cutting stems back by up to one third to keep a tidy, bushy shape. Avoid cutting into old, bare wood as leucadendrons are slow to reshoot from it. You can cut bracted stems for the vase, which serves as light pruning.
Deadheading: Deadheading is not essential. Removing spent bracts tidies the plant, but leaving them does no harm and the cones add structure through winter.
Fertilising: Do not use standard fertiliser. Leucadendrons are sensitive to phosphorus. If feeding at all, use a low-phosphorus native or protea-specific fertiliser in spring, applied sparingly.
Watering: Water regularly through the first growing season to establish the root system. Once settled, leucadendrons are drought-tolerant and need watering only during prolonged dry spells. Avoid overwatering.
Pest Control: Leucadendrons are generally trouble-free. Check occasionally for scale insects and mealybugs on stressed plants, and treat early with horticultural oil if found.
Disease Management: Free-draining soil is the main defence against disease. Wet or heavy soil encourages Phytophthora root rot, which is the most common cause of decline. Keep the root zone open, ensure good airflow, and clear fallen debris from around the base.
Enjoy complimentary delivery anywhere in mainland New Zealand when you purchase plants worth $250 or more*.
For orders below $250, the following flat-rate delivery charges are applicable:
- Urban delivery within mainland New Zealand: $19.95
- Rural delivery within mainland New Zealand: $39.95
- Waiheke, Chatham and Great Barrier Islands: Please contact us for shipping options.
We aim to have all orders shipped within 14 days from the order date, unless a different shipping date is specified alongside a product.
