Olearia ilicifolia
Mountain holly, Hakeke, Maori holly, Daisy bush, Tree aster, Marlborough rock daisy
- Height × spread
- 2m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A handsome plant, pleasing for both its foliage and its flowers. It is said to be one of the hardiest forms, though not reliably hardy throughout the country. The leaves are long slender and tapering, somewhat wavy and with pronounced teeth. The leaves are a silvered grey green and are white felted on their underside. The flowers, born with great freedom, are classic, many petalled daisies, they have caramel yellow stamens at their heart and are a feature in June and early July. A mature plant becomes leggy and can develop a pleasing brown peeling bark. Generally however, people prefer to cut the shrub back to maintain a compact habit. The flowers have some fragrance and the whole plant is said to emit a musky fragrance. This is happiest in cooler positions and does best in a partly shaded position.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey, Silver
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural, Bee attraction, Sensory garden (tactile)
- Hazards
- Yes, leaves are prickly
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
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.
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.
Found in
More Olearia
Olearia macrodonta
New Zealand holly, Toothy New Zealand holly
Olearia x haastii
Haast's daisy bush
Olearia
Daisy bush, New Zealand daisy bush, Tree aster
Olearia 'Henry Travers'
Daisy bush, New Zealand daisy bush, Tree aster
Olearia 'Waikariensis'
Waikariensis daisy bush
Olearia nummulariifolia
Coin leaf daisy bush
Olearia phlogopappa 'Spring Bling'
Daisy bush
Olearia phlogoppapa 'Comber's Blue'
Tasmanian daisy bush, Dusty daisy bush