Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Late summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 45cm
Eventual Spread: 1m
Hardiness: 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11
Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ is an evergreen sub shrub with a trailing habit. Its lime green aromatic leaves are ovate to rounded with entire margins, have a wooly texture, up to 35mm long and 35mm broad. Its produce trailing stems. Its cream flowers appear as lax sprays.
Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ Leaf (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
The species Helichrysum petiolare, commonly known as Licorice Plant, Silver Bush or Everlasting Flower, is native to South Africa. In its native habitat it grows on dry, sheltered slopes and forest margins.
The etymological root of the binomial name Helichrysum is derived from the Greek helios meaning ‘sun’ and chrysos for ‘gold’. Petiolare is derived from the Latin meaning ‘leaf stalks’.
The landscape architect may find Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ useful as an attractive foliage groundcover shrub. Where this plant is not hardy it may be used as part of a summer bedding scheme. Once established this plant is drought tollerant.
Ecologically, Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1996.
Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ Flower (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to alkali pH of soil, although it will tolerate most soils. It will not tolerate wet soils. It will tolerate poor soils.
Helichrysum petiolare ‘Limelight’ requires little maintenance. It may be cut back any time of year to keep a tidy appearance.