Silver King

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Calocephalus

Species

brownii

Description

A small perennial shrub whose ornamental value is conferred by its silvery foliage that creates dense, compact, globular shapes suitable for flowerbeds and borders.

Variety description

Decorative plant for its silver-grey foliage to be used as decorative greenery in flowerbeds. It has a distinctive appearance that makes the plant look as if it were dry

Curiosities and special features

From the distinctive overlapping silvery-grey leaves, like the stems, comes the common name 'Coral Plant'.

Origin and distribution

Native species of southern and south-eastern Australia.

Flower size

Flower is Small.

Leaf

The leaf blades are needle-shaped, thin and filiform.

Flowering period

It flowers from summer to late autumn for a duration of 60 to 90 days.

Leaf colour

Solid-coloured, with high ornamental value.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.2 to 0.3 m, ideal as a first or second tier plant within mixed bedding compositions.

Lifespan

Small perennial evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub.

Where to plant

Due to its developed habit and the silvery shade of its foliage, it is suitable for providing a distinctive ornamental accent to flowerbeds, borders

Stem

The stems are herbaceous, silvery-white in colour; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is small and double in shape, with single-coloured petals. It flowers from summer to late autumn, with a flowering period of 60 to 90 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

A variety with compact and dense growth, suitable for creating dense cushion-like covers.

Plant habit

The developed habitus is globular and compact.

Branching

Branching, which already develops at the base, is on the whole abundant.

PH

The ideal soil pH for dropcephalus is slightly acidic, between 5.8 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting, carry out light digging, removing weeds, any residues of previous crops and bulky stones, add professional quality substrate on the surface for about 5/10 cm and carefully level with a rake.

Sun exposure

When transplanting, choose exposures in half-shade.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 18 and 22 °C. The vital temperature is between 8 and 30 °C

Use

Appreciated as a plant with decorative foliage in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Variety of medium hardiness.

Soil

Dropcephalus prefers light soil as it does not tolerate compact or clayey soils with poor drainage.

Difficulty

It is a fairly easy plant to grow, requiring a medium level of management effort after planting in the new site.

Growing tips

Some specific cultivation tips for better vegetative growth:

Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Combinations with other plants

Plant suitable both on its own, to create homogeneous, compact groups, and in compositions with other ornamentals such as Armeria and Campanula. It is advisable to avoid associating it with species with high water requirements, as the dropcephalus fears stagnation.

Planting

For planting in flowerbeds or borders, apply an average density of 20 plants per square metre in order to ensure proper development of each specimen and thus obtain a harmonious and proportionate final composition. When transplanting take care not to injure the roots of the seedlings and avoid sinking the lumps completely. It is also suggested not to over-water when transplanting, particularly in cold temperatures.

Propagation

Multiplication is by cuttings.

Watering

Use rainwater, alternatively from the aqueduct, either manually or by irrigation. After transplanting, assist the seedling to ensure proper root development in the new site by keeping it at a constant humidity but not in a water-saturated condition. Subsequently allow the soil to dry slightly after each watering, avoiding waterlogging which can lead to the development of fungal diseases with collar rot, also do not water the aerial part of the plant from above during the late afternoon or evening. Reduce watering during the autumn period.

Fertilising

Deciduous fears over-fertilisation, particularly in conjunction with water stress. After planting in the new site, apply a liquid fertiliser for ornamental plants to the soil, to be diluted in the irrigation water according to the doses and frequencies proportionate to the needs of the plant.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

Avoid heavy watering especially on soils that retain too much water. Reduce watering considerably in the autumn period, it suffers from high summer temperatures especially if exposed to full sun.