Leucadendron - Burgunder Sonnenuntergang

The Leucadendron Burgundy Sunset, also known as the Conebush, is a beautiful and colorful plant from South Africa. This shrub is known for its low-maintenance nature and vibrant colors. The dark purple leaves form a beautiful contrast with the oval-shaped yellow-green flower heads, surrounded by light red bracts that later change to red-purple and golden yellow. With a full and wide growth, the Burgundy Sunset reaches a height and width of 1.2 to 1.8 meters. This plant thrives best in a sunny spot in well-drained soil and is wind and drought tolerant. Ideal for creating a vibrant and colorful hedge or as an eye-catcher in a border, the Leucadendron Burgundy Sunset is a beautiful addition to any garden.

The Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset likes a sip of water

The Leucadendron Burgundy Sunset is a plant that thrives in dry conditions and requires little water. It is important to let the soil dry out between waterings, as these plants are susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Particularly in the summer months, it may be necessary to give some extra water, but in general it is better to underwater this plant than to overwater it. Make sure the plant is in well-draining soil, so that excess water can drain away quickly. It is wise to reduce watering in the winter, as the plant grows less actively during this period and therefore requires less water. With the right water care, the Leucadendron Burgundy Sunset will thrive beautifully and retain its vibrant colors.

Summer

During the summer it is very important that this plant, when it is outside, is kept well moist. Especially during the warm days it should be watered every day, so that the root ball is well moist. On the less warm days this can sometimes be skipped for a few days. This is so important because otherwise the plant 'drinks' moisture from its leaves, causing it to become dry and eventually die. This should of course be prevented.

Winter

When winter is upon us, the rules are reversed! If the Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset is outside, it must remain dry so that the moisture does not freeze and damage the plant. The Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset does not suffer from a dry root ball during this period, it is in a kind of hibernation!
When the plant is kept indoors during the winter it should be kept slightly moist, so not soaking wet (as in summer), but just so that the root ball feels slightly damp.

General rules

In addition to the above guidelines, it is best to follow these rules:

First, give the plant a little water. If the soil is dry within 2 days, it means it needs a little more water. Adjust the amount of water until it still feels slightly moist between 2 and 5 days after watering, and almost dry after 5 days. If it feels very wet after 5 days, wait until it is almost dry and water again, but reduce the amount.

Spraying

We recommend that you spray the Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset with water weekly. However, we do not recommend this during warm summer days, so that you do it either in the evening after sunset, or on days when the sun shines little, because the water droplets bundle the incoming sunlight into small points that become very hot. These cause the leaves to dry out, or even burn through.
Apart from the detrimental effect of bright sunlight on wet leaves, misting has beneficial effects for your Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset . Namely, it removes dust from the leaves, allowing them to better absorb sunlight and appear more beautiful, and it prevents certain types of pests.

Where is the best place to place the Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset?

The Leucadendron Burgundy Sunset Conebush thrives in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It is a wind-tolerant plant and can handle drought well once established. This beautiful shrub is ideal for low maintenance and low water use gardens and is an excellent choice for creating privacy through hedging or screening. The plant can reach a height of 2-4 metres and a width of 1-2 metres, so it is important to provide sufficient space for it to grow. With its striking dark red leaves and flowers in autumn and winter, the Leucadendron Burgundy Sunset Conebush is an eye-catcher in any garden.

Light

The Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset is a plant that likes a fair amount of sunlight. It likes to be in full sun or half shade, taking in all the light. Is it indoors? Then it wants a spot near a window or where there is some light. The Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset requires at least 1 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day

Wind

Make sure that the Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset experiences as little wind as possible. Wind can damage the leaves, causing them to die off more quickly. A little wind is no problem.

Temperature requirements

Minimum temperature during the day: -4 ℃
At night minimum -4 ℃

Repotting, why and when?

As the plant grows and develops, it may need to be repotted. You will know that the plant is ready for a larger pot when the roots start to grow through the drainage holes in the current pot. This can suffocate and stunt growth. It is also advisable to repot the plant if it becomes too large for its current pot or if the soil becomes depleted and there are no more nutrients. Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the current pot, fill it with fresh potting soil and gently place the plant in the new pot. Be careful not to damage the roots and give the plant some extra water after repotting to help it settle in. Remember to check regularly that the plant has enough room and repot it if necessary.

General rules

When the Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset has taken root (often every 2-3 years) we recommend repotting it in the spring. If it is always indoors, it does not matter. If it is outdoors, it is not a problem to repot it in the summer, but we advise against it in the autumn and winter, because it will not grow and take root optimally. This can make it somewhat weak, and it may suffer damage from frost.

When you choose to repot your Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset, choose a nice pot that is twice the size of the root ball. Place a layer of hydro grains at the bottom of the new pot for better moisture management. It will thank you for that. Fill this layer with some Mediterranean potting soil. This type of soil ensures that the Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset roots optimally and is fed. Then you can place the root ball on the ground. Make sure that the top of the root ball is slightly below the edge of the pot. Aim for a difference of 2 to 6 cm. This difference ensures that the water does not run off the root ball when you water it.
Every year you should replace the top layer of soil, because it hardens and 'wears out' in nutrients, due to regular watering and because of the sunlight on the upper edge of the root ball.

Provide the Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset with good nutrition

The Leucadendron Burgundy Sunset, with its striking dark purple leaves and yellow flowers surrounded by red bracts, thrives best in nutrient-poor soil. This plant has little need for nutrition and strong fertilizers can even be harmful to the sensitive roots.
In addition, it is important not to disturb the Leucadendron Burgundy Sunset by digging deeply around the base of the plant. By avoiding this, the sensitive roots of the plant can grow and thrive undisturbed. With the right care and nutrition, this beautiful South African plant will continue to bloom and grow into a lush shrub that will beautify any garden.

When the leaves change color

The leaves can get black leaf tips. This can mean that too much water has been released. Brown or yellow leaves can mean that too little water is being released. We then recommend checking this and possibly adjusting the watering. We also recommend making the plant a bit more beautiful by simply cutting off the ugly tips with scissors.

It is also possible that the Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset has been moved from a place with a lot/little light to a place with a different amount of light. This can also cause the leaves to discolour. The new leaves will be more resistant to direct sunlight.

How and when to prune the Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset?

The leaves of the Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset will eventually wither. If this is the case with a leaf, you can simply cut the stem near the trunk. It is not a problem to cut off an entire leaf with the stem of the plant. This is the way the plant forms its trunk.

How can I propagate the Leucadendron - Burgundy Sunset?

The Leucadendron Burgundy Sunset can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Sowing is best done in the spring and cuttings can be taken in the fall. If you choose to sow, make sure the seeds are planted in well-draining soil and placed in a warm, sunny spot. For cuttings, cut off a healthy branch and remove the lower leaves before placing it in moist potting soil. Keep the soil moist until the cuttings develop roots. With the right care and attention, you can easily propagate new plants and enjoy even more beautiful Leucadendron Burgundy Sunset plants in your garden.