Argentipallium obtusifolium
blunt everlasting
Overview
Argentipallium obtusifolium is a small woody subshrub in the family Asteraceae, growing 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall and 12-20 inches (30-50 cm) wide. Stems and foliage are covered in dense white to grey woolly hairs, giving the plant a felted appearance. Leaves are narrow and oblong with blunt tips, 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 cm) long, crowded along the stems. Flowerheads are grouped in terminal clusters and surrounded by white, papery bracts that retain their form when dried, enclosing small yellow disc florets. Flowering occurs through spring and into summer. The plant grows in heath, shrubland, and dry sclerophyll forest on sandy and rocky soils across southeastern Australia. It withstands drought and exposure once established and regenerates from seed and a woody base. In cultivation it requires full sun and sharp drainage; foliage and roots decline in humid, poorly drained conditions. Plants are relatively short-lived, often persisting three to five years before replacement. The papery bracts are used in dried-flower arrangements. Growth is compact in open positions and becomes leggy in shade.
Native Range
Argentipallium obtusifolium occurs in southeastern Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. It grows in heath, shrubland, and dry sclerophyll forest on sandy and rocky soils, often in coastal and near-coastal areas.Suggested Uses
Planted in dry native gardens, coastal plantings, rockeries, and containers with sharp drainage. The papery flowerheads are cut for fresh and dried arrangements. Combines with other everlasting daisies and low heath shrubs.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 1'8"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white with yellow centreFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Argentipallium obtusifolium in full sun in sharply drained sandy or gravelly soil. Water lightly during establishment, then reduce frequency as the plant withstands dry conditions. Humid air and wet, poorly drained soil cause foliage and root decline. Light tip pruning after flowering keeps growth compact. Low-phosphorus native fertiliser suits it where feeding is needed. Plants are short-lived and are renewed every few years from seed or cuttings.Pruning
Tip prune after flowering to maintain a compact, branched habit. Argentipallium obtusifolium responds to light trimming but recovers slowly from hard cuts into bare old wood. Spent flower stems are removed once the bracts fade.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons