© Alastair Potts, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Metalasia spp.
Blombushes
South Africa (Cape Floristic Region / fynbos)
Overview
Metalasia spp. is a genus of about 50 evergreen shrubs in the daisy family Asteraceae, almost all endemic to the fynbos of South Africa's Cape region. Plants are heath-like, with wiry, much-branched stems 2 to 10 ft (0.6 to 3 m) tall carrying small, narrow leaves that are often twisted, recurved, or held tight against the stem. The foliage is green to grey-green and gives the shrubs a wiry, needle-textured look. Flowers come in dense terminal clusters of small papery heads, white to pink, that hold their form as they age in the manner of everlasting daisies; many species carry a sweet scent. M. muricata, the common blombos, is a widespread coastal and mountain shrub used in fynbos restoration and as a cut flower. Like most fynbos plants, Metalasia spp. is adapted to nutrient-poor, sandy, acidic soils and to fire, regrowing or reseeding after burns. Limitations in cultivation include frost sensitivity beyond light freezes, a need for sharp drainage, and intolerance of rich soils and added phosphorus.
Native Range
Metalasia spp. is native to South Africa, concentrated in the winter-rainfall fynbos of the Western and Eastern Cape, with a few species reaching tropical Africa. Plants grow on sandstone slopes, coastal flats, and mountain fynbos in acidic, sandy soils. M. muricata ranges along the southern and eastern coasts into grassland.Suggested Uses
Metalasia spp. is grown in fynbos and Mediterranean-climate gardens, on sandy banks, and in coastal plantings where drainage is sharp. The scented, long-lasting flower heads are cut for fresh and dried arrangements. Compact species are kept in containers of low-nutrient, acidic mix.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 10'
Width/Spread2' - 6'
Bloom Information
Most Metalasia spp. species flower from autumn through winter and into spring in their native winter-rainfall climate, with M. muricata flowering over many months. The papery heads open white and age to pink or cream while keeping their shape. Insects and small bees work the scented clusters for nectar.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pinkFoliage Description
green to grey-greenGrowing 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
Metalasia spp. grows in full sun in sharply drained, sandy, acidic soil with a pH from about 4.5 to 6.5 and low fertility. Plants are drought tolerant once established and are watered through dry winters rather than summers in cultivation, reflecting their winter-rainfall origin. The genus tolerates light frost but is damaged by hard freezes, limiting it to mild, Mediterranean-type climates or containers that can be moved. Rich soils and added phosphorus harm the roots, as with most fynbos plants. Steady air movement reduces fungal problems in humid summers.Pruning
Metalasia spp. is tip-pruned after flowering to keep the shrubs dense and to limit the bare, woody base that develops with age. Hard pruning into old wood is risky, as many fynbos shrubs do not resprout from it. Cutting stems for the vase doubles as light shaping.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing