Olearia phlogopappa Flower (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Late spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 1.5m (unmaintained)
Eventual Spread: 2m
Hardiness: 9a – 10b
Family: Asteraceae
Olearia phlogopappa is a medium sized, evergreen , free flowering shrub. Its green/ gray leaves are typically narrow with dentate margins) with white hairs on their undersides and are up to 4cm long. Its white flowers are daisy like with yellow centres and are up to 25mm across.
Olearia phlogopappa, commonly known as Dusty Daisy-bush or Alpine Daisy Bush, is native to south east Australia. In its native habitat it grows in open woodland, heath and coastal scrubland.
The etymological root of the binomial name Olearia is derived from the Latin olea meaning ‘olive’, in reference to other members of this genus being similar to the olive. Phlogopappa is derived from the Greek flogos meaning ‘flame’ and pappos meaning ‘grandparent’, the meaning is unclear.
Olearia phlogopappa (05/05/2012, Kew Gardens London)
The landscape architect may find Olearia phlogopappa useful as a free flowering shrub for light shad locations. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, O. phlogopappa is attractive to pollinating insects.
O. phlogopappa prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Olearia phlogopappa requires annual maintenance in the form of pruning after flowering, this ensures it plant does not become spindly.
