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Scientific name: Helichrysum patulum (L) D Don
Family: ASTERACEAE
Common name: honey everlasting
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Plant Description
Honey everlasting is a rounded bushy shrub that grows up to 1m tall. It has aromatic soft and woolly grey leaves. The leaves smell a little like comfrey when crushed. It produces long stalks which carry clusters of small creamy white honey-scented flowerheads at the tip from September to February. It is often found growing in sandy flats and slopes along the coast in the southwestern Cape.
The name Helichrysum comes from the Greek helios meaning sun and chrysos meaning gold. The species name patulum is a word Latin meaning spreading referring to its growth habit.
Growing and maintenance of Helichrysum patulum
H. patulum is a good plant to grow in the sun or semi-shade in a water-wise, fynbos and coastal gardens. It does well in sandy soil and well-drained soil with plenty of compost. Allow soil to dry between moderate watering to avoid the plant being infected with fungus. Its beautiful grey foliage adds colour and texture to the garden. Pitta Joppe says, “Mass plant it to form grey groundcover, or use it to line the front of any informal border or pathway.”
Propagate from cuttings or dividing older clumps and seeds are sown in autumn (March).
- Cuttings must be taken in cool hours of the the day from the soft shoots and
- Planted in a well drained rooting medium.
- Rooting medium can be used to encourage root growth.
- Cuttings must be kept moist and be placed in a warm place with enough light.
Helichrysum patulum is available at our nursery UWC Cape Flats Nursery.
References
Joffe, P. 2007. Creative gardening with indigenous plants: A South African Guide. Briza Publications, Pretoria
Manning, J. 2007, Field Guide to Fynbos, Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town
Low, A.B. 1983, Flowering Plants of the Cape Flats Nature Reserve, University of Western Cape, Bellville
