Pachystegia insignis
Marlborough rock daisy
Also known as Olearia insignis
- Height × spread
- 2m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A very curious and distinctive plant which has clusters of long leaves that fatten to a rounded outer rim (obovate) that are dark green and white, or beige felted on their underside. It has a spreading, sometimes wayward habit as it matures. The buds that contain the flowers are deeply felted and rounded, curious to behold. They open to white daisy flowers with yellow centres, held on grey-green stalks. The flowers appear in late summer and are followed by seed heads that look like ailing shaving brushes. This is for mild sites only and relishes the hot and dry situations in which it thrives in New Zealand.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 2m
- Height in 10 years
- 0.9m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
In drought conditions where established plants in the ground have had no water for a month, do a deep watering. If drought continues repeat after a fortnight. Plants only need watering during spring to autumn growth. Check plants in pots more often.
Established plants have a good degree of drought tolerance. Water after a prolonged period of drought. Many drought tolerant plants can rapidly revive, even when much of the foliage has died. They will respond with new growth.
Spring - mid-late · Planting
Trim the plant
Trim the plant to give it a general tidy. This includes removing any lengthy or awkward shoots that make the plant look visually less attractive. Remove any spent flower heads at the same time.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.