Silver Bush
Calocephalus brownii
An evergreen subshrub featuring intricate, tangled, wire-like stems and narrow leaves covered in dense silver-white hairs, giving the entire plant a distinctive frosty, metallic appearance.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Water
- Low watering needs. Highly drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply but infrequently, and never let the plant sit in standing water.
- Growth
- A compact, mounding evergreen subshrub reaching heights and spreads of 1 to 3 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun and exceptionally well-draining soil. Water sparingly once established, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Avoid overhead watering and high humidity.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day.
Watering
Low watering needs. Highly drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply but infrequently, and never let the plant sit in standing water.
Soil
Requires very gritty, sandy, or stony soil with sharp drainage. Prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline pH range between 6.5 and 7.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11. Sensitive to severe frost and high humidity.
Growth habit
A compact, mounding evergreen subshrub reaching heights and spreads of 1 to 3 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Blooms in summer with small, inconspicuous yellow button-like flower heads nestled among the silvery foliage.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through semi-hardwood stem cuttings taken in spring or summer, treated with rooting hormone and placed in a sandy, well-draining medium.
Common pests & issues
Prone to root rot and fungal stem diseases if exposed to excessive moisture, high humidity, or poorly draining soil. Pests are generally minimal.
Similar species
Can be compared to Curry Plant (Helichrysum italicum) or Lavender (Lavandula), but is distinguished by its unique wire-like, highly branched, rigid silver stems and absence of characteristic aromatic foliage scents.