Bobbejaanklou

Although overseas travel is on hold this year, finding flowers that inspire or remind us of favorite places can serve as a happy place holder.

I was given a bouquet of Pincushions from a South African friend who said these vibrant flowers cover the foot hills and scrub lands of Africa’s south and southeastern coast. I think of her and traveling to South Africa every time I see them.

Bobbejaanklou is the Afrikaans word for the flowers known also as Pincushions.

Bobbejaanklou/Pincushions are Leucospermum Cordifolium. They grow as evergreen shrubs in the United States where the sun is hot, the soil is more rocky than rich and salt is in the air: growing zones 9-11 found mainly in southern Texas and the better part of the California coast.

They are hardy and each shrub can produce up to 70 blooms from early spring through mid-summer.

Pincushions with their abundant blooms and bright colors are a haven for bees and hummingbirds.

There are are over 50 varieties of Leucospermum. The most common colors grown for cut flowers are orange, red and yellow.

Pincushions are long-lasting and will remain as a bright bouquet for at least 2 weeks.