Coronidium scorpioides
button everlasting
Overview
Coronidium scorpioides, formerly placed in Helichrysum spp., is an upright perennial herb in the daisy family (Asteraceae), growing 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) tall from a basal rosette. The lance-shaped leaves are 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long, green and sparsely hairy above and white-woolly beneath, with margins that are flat or slightly rolled. From spring into summer each wiry stem carries a single papery flower head 0.6-1.2 inches (15-30 mm) across, the golden-yellow bracts surrounding a darker yellow disc of tiny florets. The bracts are dry and straw-textured, holding their colour as they age, which gives the everlasting daisies their name. It grows in open eucalypt forest, woodland, and grassland across south-eastern Australia, from Queensland to Tasmania and South Australia, often on well-drained slopes. The plant spreads slowly by short rhizomes and self-seeds in open ground. It tolerates drought and light frost once established but is short-lived in heavy, wet soils, where the crown rots. Flowering is reduced in shade, and plants grown in rich soil become soft and floppy. The dried flower heads are cut for everlasting arrangements.
Native Range
Coronidium scorpioides is native to south-eastern Australia, occurring from Queensland through New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania to South Australia. It grows in open forest, woodland, and grassland on well-drained soils.Suggested Uses
Grown in native, cottage, and rockery gardens, in mixed borders, and in containers, where the papery heads are cut fresh or dried. It suits dry, sunny banks and meadow-style plantings. The flowers draw native bees and other insects.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 2'
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Golden-yellow papery flower heads open from spring into summer, roughly September to January in the native range. Each stem bears a single long-lasting head. The dried bracts persist on the plant for several weeks after the central florets fade.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green above, white-woolly beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun in free-draining sandy or loamy soil. Water during establishment, then sparingly, as the crown rots in wet ground. Rich soil and heavy feeding produce soft, floppy growth, so feeding is kept light. The plant tolerates light frost and drought once established. Cut spent stems to the rosette after flowering to keep the clump tidy and bring on fresh basal growth. Divide or replace clumps every few years, as plants are naturally short-lived.Pruning
Cut flowering stems back to the basal rosette once the heads fade, or earlier for dried arrangements. Remove dead leaves from the rosette to limit crown rot. The plant reshoots from the base in autumn and spring.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing