About
Helichrysum stoechas, the common shrubby everlasting, is a compact, bushy, semi-evergreen shrub to 50 cm with aromatic, silvery-white, woolly, linear to spoon-shaped leaves to 2 cm long. Tiny, bright-yellow flowers are borne in rounded clusters to 3 cm across in summer. A characteristic and ornamental Mediterranean everlasting for a sunny, very well-drained border.
About the genus
Helichrysum are annuals, perennials and evergreen shrubs with typically grey- or white-hairy foliage and papery, 'everlasting' flowerheads in yellow, white, pink or orange. Grown for their foliage and long-lasting blooms in sunny, well-drained positions.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
Native toEurope, SW Asia
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained poor to moderately fertile neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet, hard frosts and cold drying winds
PruningPruning group 10 in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility. May also be susceptible to downy mildews and powdery mildews