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Ozothamnus diosmifolius
| These heatherlike shrubs bring fragrance and sturdy beauty to a sheltered rock garden or mixed border. Place by paths and benches for visitors to enjoy, and dry cut sprays for everlasting arrangements. They relate so closely to the Helichrysum group that botanists seem doomed to forever shift species back and forth between them. Sizes range from the 4-foot Ozothamnus scutellifolius, its stems cloaked in soft white down, to 9-foot Ozothamnus thyrsoideus, a top choice for dried flowers. Sweet-smelling foliage enhances species such as the neat, compact Ozothamnus ledifolius. Its stems exude a sticky substance that makes the plant highly flammable -- hence its nickname, Kerosene Weed. An erect, slender species, Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius, reaches the peak of beauty just before blooming. Clusters of rich red buds contrast with white stems and dark green, rosemary-like leaves, last 10 days or more, then open into white, scented flowers. Ozothamnus selago Silver Jubilee delights with harmonizing silvery-gray leaves, gray-white stems, white buds and flowers. Give a warm, sunny spot with very well-drained soil. Some thrive in partial shade. In the wild, even high alpine species choose a site well protected from winds. Most are frost-tender, but Ozothamnus antennaria, Ozothamnus ledifolius, and Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius tolerate cold to 14º F. Ozothamnus hookeri and Ozothamnus thyrsoideus survive to 23º F. Cut back leggy specimens in spring before growth starts, prune again after flowering. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer. |
An unusual evergreen shrub with clusters of tiny flowers.
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Attributes - Ozothamnus diosmifolius
Plant Type: Shrub
Bloom Season: Late Spring through Mid Summer
Flower Color: White
Foliage: Evergreen
Height: 6 ft. to 9 ft.
Width: 6 ft.
Sunlight: Full Sun
Climate: Zones 9, 10
Notes: Thrives in Dry Climates. Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance.
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