Climate; Marine West Coast, Mediterranean, Sub-tropical, Temperate Common Name; Sugar Bush Indoor/Outdoor; Outdoor Growth Habit; Bush / Shrub Soil Type; Well-drained, Clay, Loam, Sand Growth Stage; Seedling Genus; Protea Foliage; Evergreen Features; Deer-Resistant, Evergreen, Flowering Safety; Child Safe, Pet Safe Room; Outdoors Only Color; Pink, Orange USDA Hardiness Zone (F); 9 (20 to 30 F) Season of Interest; Year Around Soil pH; Lightly Acidic to Neutral Plant Form; Seedling in Tube Type; Flowering Shrub, South African Shrubs, Proteas, Sugar Bushes Watering; Medium Growth Rate; Medium Sunlight; Full Sun Cultivating Difficulty; Very Difficult! Country/Region of Manufacture; United States This favorite and most colorful Leucadendron is found growing mainly on mountain slopes of South Africa. The shrubs grow to a low height of about 4' tall and wide, and are distinguished by their low, bushy habit, and stout branches. The oblong leaves have rounded tips, and become more numerous closer to the involucral leaves, which turn yellow, and gradually taking on sunset shades in the winter flowering season. The shrubs are dioecious, with male and female flowers being on separate shrubs, yet both sexes are very colorful. The female fruiting cones can have a spicy scent to them. This wonderful shrub requires well-drained, slightly acidic soil, in full sun, and is hardy USDA zones 9 and up (8 with protection when young), in areas with excellent air movement, and is even happy growing along the coast. Rare in cultivation. Not suitable for growing in pots. The genus name honors the Greek Sea God, Proteus, who had the power to assume a great diversity of shapes - a reference to the diversity within this wonderful genus. This offer is for one, small, first year seedling, in a 2" x 7" tube pot. Ready for transplanting into a gallon pot (for a season), or directly into the garden (preferred). The new year's growth is starting to show, or is already underway. The Seedlings shipped will vary in size , but are mostly 3 to 6" tall. Detailed growing instructions are included. As the plants are grown unprotected outdoors, some of the leaves may show a few blemishes or nibbles, and the leaves may take on some maroon tints in the winter and early spring. NOTE: Images Shown are of Mature Plants