This tree has a stout trunk with thick greyish bark and ascending branches that form a column to pyramidal habit. It has silvery green soft textured lance-shaped leaves and the male and female cone-like flower heads appear on different trees during spring.

Hardiness zones 9 to 10

Leucadendron argenteumis naturally found in South Africa from Cape Town to the Cape Peninsula growing on the cool eastern and southern slopes of the Table Mountain from an altitude of 100 m (328 ft) to 150 m (492 ft).

It prefers an open sunny position and grows in well-drained, poor sandy stony soils that are neutral tending acidic. It is drought and slightly frost tolerant and regenerates from seed after fire.

Silver Tree is grown for its attractive foliage and its flowers. It is planted along garden borders for screening or for colour contrast and used in arid gardens as a specimen tree. It is also planted in sunny courtyards or grown against a wall. It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions and establishes in 3-5 years but is short lived up to 20-years. The foliage is cut and used in floral arrangements or dried and pressed as a decorative souvenir. ID 3710

Leucadendron (loo-ka-DEN-dron) argenteum (ar-JEN-tee-um)

Note:
This tree is regarded as endangered in its native habitat due to clearing for commercial pine plantations and has been used extensively as firewood.

Proteaceae (pro-tee-AY-see-ee)
Protea Family