Bonte Farm
Leucadendron Ebony: Burgundy Velvety Foliage, A Timeless Classic
Leucadendron Ebony: Burgundy Velvety Foliage, A Timeless Classic
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⚫ Leucadendron 'Ebony': The Deepest Black-Red Foliage
The Leucadendron 'Ebony' is an award-winning and architecturally stunning Conebush hybrid (Leucadendron genus) prized for having some of the darkest foliage available in the landscape. This dramatic evergreen shrub is a highly sought-after choice for creating intense contrast and sophisticated color palettes. It is primarily grown for its slender, glossy leaves and terminal bracts, which maintain a nearly black-red to deep burgundy hue throughout the year, with the color intensifying in the cool season. 'Ebony' is an excellent, medium-sized specimen plant for adding profound depth and visual weight to Mediterranean, coastal, and architectural gardens. Its robust, upright habit, superior drought tolerance, and unique color make it a resilient and low-maintenance choice, yielding superb, long-lasting cut foliage and cones.
Botanical Characteristics
|
Characteristic |
Detail |
|
Scientific Name |
Leucadendron 'Ebony' (Hybrid Cultivar) |
|
Common Names |
Ebony Conebush, Black-Red Leucadendron. |
|
Growth Habit |
A sturdy, upright evergreen shrub with a dense, slightly columnar, and naturally bushy habit, ideal for providing structure. |
|
Foliage |
Features slender, glossy leaves that develop an intense, persistent deep burgundy to black-red color, especially in full sun. |
|
Flowers/Cones |
Inconspicuous flowers surrounded by deep red to black terminal leaves/bracts that form small cones. |
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Flowering Season |
Foliage color peaks dramatically from late autumn through early spring, providing essential cool-season drama. |
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Cut Flower Use |
Premier professional-grade cut foliage, highly valued for its strong stems, near-black coloration, and long vase life. |
Mature Size
'Ebony' is a moderate-sized shrub that provides reliable height and structure.
- Height: Typically reaches 5–6 feet (1.5–1.8 meters) tall.
- Spread: Achieves a dense, manageable spread of 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 meters) wide.
- Its size is perfect for creating a bold, structural focal point.
USDA Hardiness Zone
This Leucadendron hybrid is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11. It requires a mild, nearly frost-free climate and thrives in full sun, performing exceptionally well in sunny, dry-summer regions. It is intolerant of sustained freezing temperatures.
Cultivation and Care
|
Aspect |
Care Instructions |
|
Sunlight |
Requires full sun (a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun daily) to ensure the deepest, darkest foliage color and excellent air circulation. |
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Soil |
Essential: Demands perfectly well-drained, acidic soil (pH 5.0–6.0). Thrives in sandy, gritty, low-nutrient soils and must not sit in heavy, wet clay. |
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Water |
Highly drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply during the first year. Mature plants require minimal summer water; overwatering is the primary threat. |
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Fertilizer |
Crucial: ABSOLUTELY AVOID all phosphorus fertilizers. Proteaceae are extremely phosphorus-sensitive. Use a specialized, low-phosphorus formula or skip fertilizing entirely. |
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Pruning |
Mandatory: Prune lightly after the color display fades, cutting back to maintain a dense, bushy shape and promote new colorful growth. |
Landscape Use
- Specimen Plant: Used as a central focal point to provide dramatic, dark contrast against green or silver foliage.
- Color Accent: Excellent for providing year-round sophisticated, dark color in borders and containers.
- Cut Foliage Garden: Grown specifically for its professional-grade, high-yield, long-lasting dark stems.
- Xeriscape Design: A cornerstone, low-water, low-fertility plant for arid landscapes.
Wildlife Attraction
The dense, upright habit of the shrub provides valuable shelter and nesting sites for native birds in the garden, contributing to garden biodiversity.
Pest and Disease Resistance
Leucadendron 'Ebony' is generally a hardy and robust plant when its crucial drainage needs are met. The most common issues are root rot and collar rot, which are caused by poor soil drainage or overwatering—this is the single most critical factor to avoid.
Propagation
To ensure the resulting plant maintains the specific, desirable traits, darkest foliage color, and vigorous habit of the 'Ebony' cultivar, propagation must be conducted using vegetative methods. Semi-hardwood cuttings are the preferred and most reliable technique, generally taken during the warmer months. Propagation from seed is not used for maintaining cultivar identity.
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