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Shrubs

Olearia erubescens

moth daisy bush

An evergreen shrub to 1.5m high, with an upright habit and lance-shaped, toothed, glossy dark green leaves to 4cm long. Leaves have silvery white hairs on the undersides, sometimes rusty red when young. Daisy-like white flowers are produced along the previous year's growth, forming long, leafy clusters in late spring and early summer

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Olearia can be evergreen shrubs, small trees or herbaceous perennials, with simple, leathery, toothed or entire leaves and corymbs of daisy-like flower-heads
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Thrives in chalky soils and handles coastal exposure well. In areas prone to frosts, grow in a cool or temperate greenhouse, or in a sheltered spot in containers that can be moved indoors over winter

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Wildlife gardens
Conservatory and greenhouse
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8. Trim lightly to maintain a compact habit. Can tolerate hard pruning if necessary

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)

Get involved

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