Allan’s Daisy

Botanical name: Celmisia allanii
Synonyms: None known
Common name(s): Allan’s Daisy

About:
A compact alpine daisy forming dense rosettes or low mats of soft silvery-grey foliage. In summer it produces classic white daisy-like flowers with yellow centres held above the leaves. It is one of the more adaptable Celmisia species and is valued for its hardy alpine character and attractive foliage.

Natural habitat:
Rocky alpine areas, montane grasslands, herbfields, boulderfields, rock outcrops and open exposed mountain sites.

Growing environment:
Best in full sun with cool conditions, good airflow and very free-draining gritty soil. Frost hardy and tolerant of wind and alpine exposure, but dislikes humidity, heavy soils and winter waterlogging.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found in the South Island, from Nelson south to north-western Canterbury.

Height:
100–400 mm

Width:
300–600 mm

Flowering:
Summer

Fruiting:
Late summer – autumn

Uses:

• Rock gardens
• Alpine gardens
• Crevice gardens
• Raised beds
• Native borders
• Specialist alpine collections
• Textural groundcover

Appearance:

Growth habit:
Low, compact perennial forming dense rosettes or spreading mats.

Leaves:
Soft, furry, silvery-grey leaves, pale grey above and white beneath, forming neat alpine rosettes.

Flowers:
White daisy-like flowers with bright yellow centres, held on slender upright stems above the foliage.

Fruit:
Produces small dry seed heads typical of the daisy family.

Ecology:
A high-country species adapted to cold, wind, strong light and exposed rocky habitats. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for native alpine insects.

Associated habitats:
Alpine herbfields, rocky slopes, boulderfields, montane grasslands, scree margins and exposed rock outcrops.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun in gritty, humus-rich, sharply drained soil. Keep evenly moist during establishment but avoid wet, stagnant conditions. Top-dressing with gravel helps protect the crown from rot.

Propagation:
Propagated from fresh seed, cuttings from non-flowering shoots, or division of established clumps.

Cultural use:
Valued as part of New Zealand’s distinctive alpine flora and appreciated by alpine plant growers for its silvery foliage and hardy mountain character.

Garden value:
An attractive alpine plant for cool-climate gardens, rockeries and raised beds. Its compact form, silver foliage and white summer flowers make it a beautiful choice for specialist native and alpine plantings.