Leucadendron Safari Sunset
Best low-maintenance shrub for gardeners seeking year-round color and privacy.
The Leucadendron Safari Sunset, also known as Safari Sunset Conebush, is a striking, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub that brings vibrant color and unique texture to any landscape. Its foliage is a beautiful grayish-green edged in red, turning an outstanding red in the fall. In early spring, it produces showy creamy white daisy-like flowers with red overtones. This low-maintenance shrub is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, thriving in full sun and poor, alkaline soils. Its upright habit makes it suitable for screening or mass planting, and its twisted stems are excellent for floral arrangements.
$19.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1079
/ 2712
#1079 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-54%
Below average
Mature Height
10
/ feet
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking vibrant color during the winter months
- Eco-conscious homeowners prioritizing water-wise landscaping
- Floral designers wanting long-lasting, dramatic stems
Who should skip it
- Gardeners living in regions with frequent hard freezes
- Homeowners with heavy clay or poorly draining soil
- Beginners uncomfortable managing specialized, phosphorus-free plant nutrition
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Striking red-toned foliage provides dramatic color contrast throughout the seasons.
Maintenance Ease
Drought-tolerant nature makes this a low-effort addition to any landscape.
Floral Utility
Unique twisted stems are highly prized for professional-grade floral arrangements.
Environmental Resilience
Thrives in challenging, alkaline soils where other plants often struggle.
Screening Potential
Upright growth habit creates an effective natural barrier for privacy.
Pest Resistance
Reliably deer-resistant, keeping your garden safe from common browsing wildlife.
Key Specs
Mature Height
10 feet
Mature Width
8 feet
Light Needs
Full Sun
Foliage Type
Evergreen
Bloom Time
Early Spring
Hardiness Zone
8b
Growth Rate
Medium
Water Needs
Dry to Average
Features
- Showy red-tinged flowers and ornamental foliage
- Excellent for cutting and ikebana arrangements
- Upright habit for screening or mass planting
- Drought tolerant and deer resistant
- Low maintenance care requirements
- Evergreen foliage provides year-round interest
- Adaptable to poor, alkaline soils
- Thrives in full sun exposure
What customers say
Consumers consistently celebrate the exceptional quality and striking visual appeal of the 'Safari Sunset' Leucadendron. The primary insight is its remarkable hardiness and reliability, making it an outstanding choice even for novice gardeners. Reviewers frequently note the plant arrives healthy and establishes quickly, offering vibrant, long lasting color that significantly enhances garden design. This robust performance confirms its reputation as a high value, low maintenance landscape staple.
Know before you buy
This shrub reaches a mature height of 10 feet and a width of 8 feet. You should plant them at least 6 to 8 feet apart if you are using them for screening or mass planting to ensure proper airflow.
Not at all. In fact, this Leucadendron actually prefers poor, alkaline soils. The most critical requirement is that the soil must be very well-drained, as it will not tolerate sitting in water.
Yes, the Safari Sunset is highly prized for its unique, twisted stems and long-lasting foliage. It is an excellent choice for both traditional floral arrangements and ikebana.
Yes, it is considered deer-resistant, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where deer pressure is a common concern. However, no plant is completely deer-proof if food sources are scarce.
It is a low-maintenance shrub that requires very little intervention. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and only needs occasional pruning to maintain its shape or to harvest stems for arrangements.
The Safari Sunset is best suited for hardiness zone 8b. If you live in a colder climate, it will likely not survive the winter outdoors and is generally not recommended for regions with hard freezes.
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Ready to buy?
$20