Leucadendron coniferum
PROTEACEAE

• Whoever said proteas were fickle hasn’t met the dune conebush! This guy – or girl (being dioecious, each plant has either male or female flowers) – is arguably one of the most steadfast garden plants around. Given a little help settling into a new environment, it will put down a deep taproot to form a large shrub with a show of sprightly green leaves come rain or shine. This remarkable protea has the ability to grow in sandy, loamy or clayey soils, whether these be slightly acidic, neutral or even quite alkaline – which explains how it has made a home in Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos, Peninsula Granite Fynbos AND Cape Flats Dune Strandveld here in Cape Town! Sadly with such mastery comes a Vulnerable red list status, since our tolbossie friend is threatened by humans and invasive alien plants destroying its varied lowland habitat. On the plus side, if you plant one in your Cape Town garden, not only will you help protect the species, but hungry urban beetles and other insect pollinators will thank you for their flower food.
• Flowering time: August-September
  In your garden: Plant with the early winter rains and water over the first two summers. Avoid disturbing the roots when weeding. Withstands dry, sandy, windy conditions.
  Distribution: Cape Peninsula to Soetanysberg
  Image: © Caitlin von Witt