Helichrysum

Family: Asteraceae
Common Name: Everlasting, Immortelle

Formerly a very large genus of several hundred species, a great number have now been reclassi­fied into other genera.

Species

H. bellidioides, zone 7, a perennial from New Zealand, grows 30-40 cm (12-16 in) and produces silvery green foliage and silvery white flowers.

H. petiolare, zone 10, is a shrubby perennial, with a height and spread of 1 m (3 ft), grown for its attractive foliage. The rounded, felty leaves are silver-gray and the flowers are cream. It does well in partial shade. One cultivar has pale lime-coloured foliage.

H. sibthorpii, zone 7, from Greece, is a tiny plant, 5-8 cm (2-3 in) high, with white, woolly foliage and small, cream, glossy, daisy flowers.

Cultivation

Propagate from seed or cuttings. Firm tip cuttings will strike easily at almost any time of the year. These plants require perfect drainage as they rot easily. They will grow in sun or partial shade but need good air circula­tion. Grow tender species in a cool greenhouse.

Climate

There are species suited to various cli­matic zones. A dry climate is best.