Common Everlasting Flower
Helichrysum apiculatum
Family: Asteraceae or Compositae
What it is like
Helichrysum apiculatum is a SHRUB growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Better soils in grasslands and forests, on sandy soils and decomposed basalt in the montane zone.
Australia - all areas.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
Anthelmintic.
Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Plants tolerate temperatures down to about -7°c in Australian gardens, though this cannot be applied directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers that fail to fully ripen the wood and our longer, wetter winters. A very ornamental plant, it is closely related to H. semipapposum.
Propagating it: Seed - Division of suckers in spring. Pot up the divisions and grow them on in the greenhouse until they have formed a good rootball. Plant out in the summer.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist