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Cassinia longifolia

shiny cassinia

Asteraceae Southeastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Cassinia longifolia is an upright, aromatic evergreen shrub of the daisy family, native to southeastern Australia. It grows 3-10 feet (1-3 m) tall and 3-6 feet (1-2 m) wide, with erect, leafy stems. The narrow leaves are 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm) long, dark green and slightly sticky or shiny above and white-felted beneath, releasing a sharp scent when crushed. In summer the stem tips carry dense, flattish heads of many tiny cream to white flower clusters, giving rise to the common name and to the alternative name cauliflower bush. The faded heads turn brown and persist into autumn. It is a fast-growing pioneer that colonises cleared land, roadsides, and disturbed ground, often forming thickets. It tolerates drought, frost, and poor soils once established and grows on a wide range of well-drained sites. Its rapid growth and short life make it a useful early coloniser rather than a long-term planting, and the dense thickets it forms can crowd out smaller plants.

Native Range

Native to southeastern Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. It grows in open forest, woodland, grassland, roadsides, and disturbed or cleared ground.

Suggested Uses

Cassinia longifolia is used in revegetation, windbreaks, and habitat plantings, where its fast growth gives quick cover and shelter on cleared or disturbed land. It supports many insects, and the seeds and cover are used by small birds. Its aromatic foliage and white flower heads suit informal native and bush gardens rather than formal beds.

How to Identify

Recognised by its narrow leaves that are dark green and shiny above and white-felted beneath, its sharp scent when crushed, and its dense flattish heads of tiny cream to white flowers in summer. The pale undersides of the leaves stand out as the foliage moves in wind. Its longer leaves separate it from shorter-leaved Cassinia spp. species.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 10'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Dense heads of small cream to white flowers open in summer, mainly December to February, at the tips of the stems. Each head is made up of many tiny clustered flowers that draw a range of insects. The spent heads dry to brown and stay on the shrub into autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Cream to white

Foliage Description

Dark green above, white beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam clay rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Cassinia longifolia grows in full sun to light shade in almost any well-drained soil and tolerates drought, frost, and low fertility once established. It grows quickly and needs little water or feeding. Heavy, permanently wet soils are the main limitation. Because it self-seeds freely and forms thickets, it can spread beyond where it is wanted on open ground. A hard cutback after flowering keeps it denser and slows its tendency to open out. It is easily raised from seed and often appears on its own after soil disturbance.

Pruning

A hard cutback after flowering or in late winter keeps the shrub bushy and removes the spent brown heads. It resprouts readily from cut stems, so its size is easily controlled. Removing flower heads before they seed reduces self-sowing.