Water Wise Plants

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Leonotis leonurus

Pronunciation

lee-oh-NO-tus lee-oh-NURE-us

Common Name

Lion’s Tail

Plant Type

Shrub

Mature Size

4 ft. to 6 ft. wide and tall

Water Requirements

Low: water every three weeks until the root ball is wet

Sun/Shade Requirements

Full sun

Wildlife

Bees
Butterflies
Other birds

Flower Color

Orange-red

Maintenance- Design- Planting Tips

This upright shrub from South Africa has bright eye-catching orange flowers. A single lion’s tail works well as a late summer/early fall garden focal point. The flowers can also be stunning in a flower arrangement.

Prune these shrubs in the early spring after the danger of frost is past to control size. Some gardeners prune them down to six inches from the ground; others just cut off half of the total height. How much to prune is a matter of deciding the desirable size of the plants in the garden. With no pruning at all, these plants can get very large, very quickly.

Lion’s tail can be frost tender, but they rebound quickly. If this plant does get frost damaged, wait until after the danger of frost is past, then cut off the damaged parts.

Where to See

Martial Cottle Park Mediterranean Climate Garden

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