Coronidium elatum
white paper daisy
Overview
Coronidium elatum is an evergreen perennial subshrub reaching 0.5-1.5 m (1.5-5 ft) tall, with erect, often woody-based stems and grey-green leaves. The leaves are lance-shaped to oblong, 3-12 cm (1.2-4.7 in) long, green above and white-woolly beneath, with a softly hairy surface. Flower heads 2-4 cm (0.8-1.6 in) across are carried singly or in small clusters at the stem tips, each with white papery bracts (the everlasting petals) surrounding a yellow central disc. Flowering occurs over a long period, mainly spring and summer, and the papery bracts hold their form and colour as the heads dry. Growth is moderate, and plants reach full size within 1-2 years but are relatively short-lived, often declining after 3-5 years. The species grows in open forest, woodland, and on rocky slopes, and self-seeds in disturbed ground. It tolerates dry periods once established but declines in wet, poorly drained soils.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria, in open forest, woodland, heath, and on rocky slopes, often in disturbed or recently burnt ground.Suggested Uses
Grown in native and cottage gardens, mixed borders, and rockeries, spaced 0.5-0.8 m (1.5-2.6 ft) apart. The long-lasting flower heads are cut and dried for everlasting arrangements. It grows in containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L) with a free-draining mix.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 5'
Width/Spread1'6" - 3'3"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers mainly in spring and summer, September to February in eastern Australia, with scattered heads at other times in mild conditions. Individual heads remain in colour for several weeks, and the overall display extends 8-12 weeks. The papery bracts persist as the heads dry on the plant.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white with yellow centreFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to light shade on free-draining sandy or loamy soil. Water through the first growing season; established plants tolerate dry spells but flower less in prolonged drought. Wet, poorly drained soils cause root rot and shorten plant life. Cutting back after the main flush of flowering keeps plants compact and prompts further blooms. Plants are short-lived, often declining after 3-5 years, but self-sown seedlings replace them. Aphids may cluster on soft new growth and flower stems.Pruning
Cut back stems by up to half after the main flowering flush to maintain a compact habit and encourage repeat flowering. Remove spent flower heads to extend the display and limit self-seeding. The plant reshoots from lower stems but is slow to recover from cutting into old bare wood.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons