Silver Leaf

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Helichrysum

Species

petiolar

Description

Semi-woody plant with an initially upright and later semi-erect Plant habit. The decorative foliage makes it ideal for flowerbeds, borders or large pots, also in Composition with other ornamental Species. Easy to cultivate, it prefers full Sun exposure or half-shade in well-draining Soil/medium and regular Irrigation without stagnation.

Species Video

https://youtu.be/UzRUyd8_7t4

Varietal description

A plant with ornamental tomentose leaves in a silvery grey colour, ideal for any Composition, whether with flowers or other coloured leaves. With its colour it forms a background and matches all flower colours. It is for sun exposure or mid-shade, ideal in mountains and plains. It has a Medium high water demand, although it tolerates light water stress well. It is easy to grow, both in containers and in flowerbeds, thanks to its initially upright and then semi-erect plant habit.

curiosity and special features

The term Helichrysum comes from the Greek hélios meaning sun and from chrysós meaning gold, referring to the yellow hue of the flowers.

Origin and Diffusion

Species native to the subtropical biomes of South Africa, particularly Angola, Cape Province, Zambia, Zimbabwe; appears naturalised in New Zealand, USA and various parts of Europe.

Flower size

The flower is singularly small united in the larger inflorescence.

Leaf

Leaf has a round tomentose lamina, silky to the touch.

Flowering period

The variety is prized for its highly ornamental foliage. Flowering is inconspicuous and lasts from early summer to late summer for 20 to 40 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence typical of Species belonging to the botanical Family Asteraceae.

Leaf color

Solid-coloured Leaf with colour accents and reflections that add ornamental value to the plant.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.3 to 0.6 m, making it ideal for creating compositions with other ornamental plants of different development, achieving a harmonious visual movement.

Lifespan

The lifespan of the plant is annual.

Suggested planting locations

Suitable for growing in flower beds, balconies, outdoor tubs, large pots

Stem/stem

Herbaceous, semi-woody stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a small shape with plain petals. It is arranged in small head-like inflorescences. It flowers from early summer to late summer, with a flowering period of between 20 and 40 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

The extent of growth is medium to vigorous.

Plant habit

The habit is semi-erect, ideal for creating dense, soft ground cover.

branching

Medium branching develops during Growth.

pH

Soil/medium pH conditions for helichrysum are slightly acidic, with optimum values between 5.5 and 6.5.

soil preparation

Before spring transplanting, carry out light digging, removing any weeds, previous crop residues, stones or bulky stones. Bury slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser and break up coarser clods to obtain greater softness and improve fertiliser distribution. To ensure sufficient drainage of any excess water, which could accumulate and cause harmful water stagnation, continue by lightly ballasting the soil to create a raised bed, then add professional-quality substrate to the surface by about 5/10 cm and carefully level it out.

sun exposure

Grows well in half shade, full sun, afternoon sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 16 and 20 °C. The vital temperature is between 1.9 and 40 °C

Use

Due to its decorative foliage, it is considered ideal as a plant in
Outdoor ornamental Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

Of medium hardiness, it adapts well to cultivation in both flowerbeds and pots in conditions free of waterlogging.

Soil/medium

For helichrysum, the ideal soil is medium-textured or tending to sandy, loosened and well draining; in pots or planters, use a substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite.

Maintenance

It is considered an easy plant to grow and maintain with a low level of management effort.

cultivation tips

The following variety-specific cultivation measures will enable us to obtain plants with excellent vegetative growth:

Expose the plant to maximum light Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Composition

The elegance of its foliage makes it suitable both for creating dense monochromatic patches and for mixed arrangements with other ornamentals such as Pelargonium peltatum Ville de Paris, Rudbeckia fulgida, Rudbeckia hirta, Verbena x hybrida. In view of the vigorous growth and bearing of the variety, a correct planting pattern is recommended.

planting

For use in flowerbeds, an average planting density of 14 plants per square metre is recommended in order to ensure balanced development of each individual specimen, thus obtaining proportionate and balanced compositions; it is also suggested that each seedling be placed on a raised flowerbed, avoiding excessive compression and sinking of the lump and watering immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Reproduction/Propagation

By seed or cutting.

Irrigation

Helichrysum has medium to high irrigation requirements but is sensitive to excess water that can cause root rot and the development of fungal diseases. Irrigation, using rainwater or alternatively aqueduct water, can be carried out manually or with an irrigation system. In the first phases following transplanting, assist the seedling so that it can adequately develop the root system, maintaining constant humidity but at the same time without overdoing the water supply to avoid damaging water stagnation; subsequently, allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between the various operations, but avoiding withering the plant. It is advisable to intervene with balanced contributions only after a soil check, without wetting the plant from above during the late afternoon or evening.

Fertilization

During soil preparation, carry out background fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. During the spring-summer period, following proper post-transplant settling, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser specifically for ornamental plants to the medium or soil, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the appropriate doses and frequencies as indicated on the relevant information label.

Pet friendly

Toxicity to pets not known; avoid administration.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Human toxicity

May be toxic if ingested.

advise 1

When used on balconies, helichrysum growing in full sun tends to remain upright for longer, with strong, rounded vegetation. In half-shade, on the other hand, the habit tends to be initially erect and then more or less drooping depending on the brightness of the location. In mixed compositions it should be borne in mind that helichrysum is rather vigorous and intrusive compared to neighbouring plants. It is therefore advisable to use it together with other vigorous species and varieties.