Leonotis leonurus

Lion’s Tail
Leonotis leonurus
Type: Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun
Water: Regular / Drought Tolerant

In its native Africa, this is a broadleaf evergreen, and becomes a 6ft (1.8m) tall and wide shrub. Here in our temperate climate, it behaves like a perennial that will ultimately reach 4ft (1.2m) high and wide. This is a unique, even odd looking plant, with square-ish stems surrounded by whorls of downy orange flowers spaced along the top part of the stems in fall. These blooms are composed of two-lipped tubular flowers, about 2in (5cm) long. Narrow leaves can reach 4in (10cm), and are fragrant when bruised. These photos are of a Lion’s Tail that’s part of a Mediterranean planting scheme at The Horticultural Center of the Pacific, near Victoria BC; it looks very effective combined with plants such as lavender, rosemary and romneya.

Cheers,

John