Brachyglottis greyi is primarily appreciated for its beautiful, velvety silver grey-green foliage, that is maintains even in the dead of winter, bringing softness to a landscape of brittle branches.
The leaves are dark green on top and much whiter underneath and are covered in fine white hairs. The extra graphic aspect is that each leaf has its own white outline.
The flowers are bright yellow and daisy-like.
The plant grows at a steady, fairly fast rate, mainly during rainy periods—typically in late summer and spring in mild climates.
👨🌾GARDENING TIP👨🌾:
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- ✂️ Prune regularly to prevent the base from becoming bare, particularly in rich, moist soil > best time to prune is in October
- 💦 The flowering can last from June to October further north if the soil remains moist > mulching will help with this.
- 🫖 They are also easy to grow in large containers filled with well-draining soil (soil + sand + perlite will do the trick)
🌱🌿pdA Garden Buddy Suggestions🌱🌿 :
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- For an all grey palette: Lavender, Helichrysum italicum, any of the Cistus, or Santolina
- For a color contrast: Salvia microphylla, Sedum Chocolate Cherry, Sedum Septemberglow
The Tales & The Botany:
The family is native to New Zealand, the wild species grows on cliffs and rocky outcrops, from the coast to inland river gorges in the southern part of the North Island.
This exposure has allowed them to develop a resistance to salty water, making them resistant to areas where the salinity in the air is particularly elevated.
Oceanic climate? Coastal terrace? Blistering summer heat? Brachyglottis will thrive.
It used to be classified in the family Senecio – due to the softness of its leaves? – but has found stability among the Brachyglottis.
🌸 Floral Morphology
Brachyglottis is a genus of shrubs and small perennials from New Zealand and nearby islands.
Most species produce corymbs or panicles of small, bright yellow, daisy-like flower heads. Each capitulum typically bears numerous golden ray florets surrounding a dense disk of tubular florets, all on slender peduncles.
Leaves are alternate, often elliptic to oblong, with a tomentose (silvery or felted) underside and a glossy green upper surface.
🌱 Reproductive Biology
Flowers are bisexual and predominantly protandrous, encouraging cross-pollination. Insects — especially bees and small flies — visit for nectar and pollen.
Seeds are small achenes with a pappus of fine hairs, aiding wind dispersal (anemochory).
🌍 Ecology & Adaptations
Native to coastal and montane habitats in New Zealand, Brachyglottis tolerates strong winds, poor soils, and salt spray.
The silvery undersides of the leaves reflect light and reduce water loss.
Several species exhibit rapid re-sprouting after cutting or grazing, an adaptation to disturbed environments.
Other Names:
Tree Senecio
Origin:
New Zealand
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