Ozothamnus obcordatus
grey everlasting
Overview
Ozothamnus obcordatus is an evergreen shrub growing 0.5-2 m (1.6-6.5 ft) tall and 0.6-1.5 m (2-5 ft) wide, native to dry forest and heath in south-eastern Australia, with an erect, wiry-stemmed habit. The small obcordate leaves are 3-8 mm (0.1-0.3 in) long, wedge-shaped with a notched tip and recurved margins, dark green above and white-woolly beneath, giving the canopy a grey-green cast. From spring into early summer the branch tips carry dense rounded clusters of many small golden-yellow flower heads, each surrounded by papery bracts that hold their colour as they dry, the source of the name everlasting. The display lasts several weeks and is followed by tiny wind-dispersed seed. The species grows on shallow, sandy or rocky soils of low fertility and tolerates dry conditions once established. It is short-lived compared with many shrubs, often declining after 6-10 years, and becomes open and woody at the base if left unpruned. Frost and drought are tolerated, but waterlogged or heavily shaded sites cause poor growth and early death.
Native Range
Native to south-eastern Australia, occurring in Victoria, New South Wales, and south-eastern South Australia, where it grows in dry sclerophyll forest, woodland, and heath on shallow infertile soils, mostly below 1,000 m (3,300 ft).Suggested Uses
Used in native cottage gardens, low informal hedges, and habitat or revegetation plantings on dry sites. The papery flower heads are cut for fresh and dried arrangements. Spaced 0.8-1.2 m (2.5-4 ft) apart in groups.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'8" - 6'7"
Width/Spread2' - 4'11"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowers from spring into early summer, about September to December, producing dense terminal corymbs of many small golden-yellow heads. The papery bracts hold colour for several weeks and persist as the heads dry. Flowering is reduced in shade and on plants past their first few years.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark green above, grey-white beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-9 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 on light, sharply drained sandy or rocky soil of low to moderate fertility. Water occasionally during establishment, then rely on rainfall, as the species tolerates dry periods and is intolerant of constant moisture. Rich feeding produces soft, short-lived growth, so a light application of low-phosphorus native fertiliser is enough. Trim after flowering to slow the woody, open decline typical of older plants. Waterlogged soils and deep shade shorten the plant already brief life. In gardens it is often replaced every several years from cuttings or seed.Pruning
Trim lightly after flowering each year to keep the bush compact and slow the bare, woody base that develops with age. Cutting back into older leafless wood is risky, as plants reshoot poorly from bare stems. Replace declining specimens rather than cutting them hard.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons