Chrysocephalum baxteri
fringed everlasting
Overview
Chrysocephalum baxteri is a small tufted perennial herb in the family Asteraceae, forming clumps 6-16 inches (15-40 cm) tall and 8-16 inches (20-40 cm) wide. The narrow leaves are 0.4-1.6 inches (1-4 cm) long, grey-green to silvery, and covered in soft woolly hairs, crowded toward the base and along the stems. Flowerheads are held singly on slender stems and surrounded by white to cream papery bracts arranged in a fringe around a cluster of yellow disc florets, giving the plant its common name. Flowering occurs from spring into summer. The species grows in southeastern Australia in heath, grassland, and open forest on sandy and rocky well-drained soils. It withstands drought, frost, and exposure once established and regenerates from a woody base and seed. In cultivation it requires full sun and sharp drainage; foliage and roots decline in humid, wet conditions. Growth is low and compact in open positions and becomes sparse in shade. The papery flowerheads hold their form when dried and are used in arrangements. Plants are relatively short-lived and are renewed from cuttings or seed every few years.
Native Range
Chrysocephalum baxteri occurs in southeastern Australia, across Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and southern New South Wales. It grows in heath, grassland, and open forest on sandy and rocky well-drained soils, often in exposed positions.Suggested Uses
Planted in dry native gardens, rockeries, coastal plantings, 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
Height6" - 1'4"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs from spring into summer, around September to January in its native range. Single flowerheads carry white to cream papery bracts in a fringe around yellow disc florets. The papery bracts persist on the plant and hold their form when dried.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white with yellow centreFoliage Description
grey-green to silveryGrowing 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 Chrysocephalum baxteri 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. Chrysocephalum baxteri 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