Ozothamnus ferrugineus
tree everlasting
Overview
Ozothamnus ferrugineus is an evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 6-20 feet (2-6 m) tall and 5-12 feet (1.5-3.5 m) wide, with erect stems and a dense, bushy crown. Young stems are coated in rusty to whitish wool. Leaves are narrow, 0.6-2.4 inches (15-60 mm) long and up to 0.2 inch (5 mm) wide, dark green above with margins rolled under, and densely white- to rust-woolly on the undersides. The foliage is aromatic when crushed. Small creamy-white flower heads, each about 0.1 inch (2-3 mm) across, are packed into rounded terminal clusters 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) wide. Flowering occurs in summer, mainly December to February. The papery flower heads hold their form as they dry and persist on the plant. Plants reach flowering size within 2-3 years on moist sites and can become open and woody with age. The species grows along watercourses, in gullies, and on forest margins. It is short-lived, often declining after 10-15 years, and tends to sucker and self-seed on disturbed ground.
Native Range
Native to southeastern Australia, occurring in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and southeastern South Australia. Grows along creeks and rivers, in moist gullies, and on the margins of forest, from sea level to about 3,300 feet (1,000 m).Suggested Uses
Used in native gardens, revegetation, and creekside plantings, spaced 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) apart. Suits informal screening and habitat plantings, and the dried flower heads are cut for indoor arrangements. Its short life span and suckering habit suit naturalistic rather than formal settings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 20'
Width/Spread5' - 12'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Flowers in summer, mainly December to February in southeastern Australia. The clustered heads remain on the plant in dried form into autumn. Flowering is heavier on plants in full sun.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark green, rusty-white beneathGrowing 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
Grows in full sun to part shade on moist, well-drained soils, and tolerates seasonally wet ground near watercourses. Establishes within the first year with regular water, after which it withstands short dry spells. The plant is frost-hardy in its native range. It is short-lived, often thinning and becoming woody after 10-15 years. Self-sown seedlings and root suckers appear on disturbed soil. Few serious pests or diseases affect it.Pruning
Light pruning after flowering keeps the crown dense and slows the open, woody habit of older plants. The shrub tolerates being cut back into younger wood but is slow to reshoot from old bare stems. Spent flower heads can be trimmed once they fade.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall