Green Cushion Mountain Daisy

Botanical name: Celmisia bellidioides
Synonyms: None known
Common name(s): Green Cushion Mountain Daisy

About:
A charming mat-forming alpine daisy that spreads across wet rocky ground to form dense green cushions. Unlike many mountain daisies with silver foliage, this species is recognised by its glossy dark green leaves and neat white flowers. It is particularly associated with cool, permanently moist alpine environments and is often found beside streams and waterfalls.

Natural habitat:
Wet rocky and gravelly places in montane and subalpine environments, especially along streams, seepages, gorges and waterfall margins.

Growing environment:
Requires cool conditions, constant moisture and excellent drainage. Best suited to shaded or partially shaded sites where the soil remains damp year-round. Performs well in alpine gardens, raised beds and moist rock gardens.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found throughout the South Island from Nelson and Marlborough south to Southland.

Height:
50–100 mm

Width:
300–900 mm

Flowering:
November–February

Fruiting:
December–March

Uses:

• Alpine gardens
• Moist rock gardens
• Raised beds
• Streamside plantings
• Groundcover in cool shaded areas
• Native alpine collections

Appearance:

Growth habit:
Low-growing perennial forming dense creeping mats from branching, rooting stems.

Leaves:
Small, glossy dark green leaves arranged in tight rosettes. Leaves are obovate to spoon-shaped, fleshy and smooth, with a paler underside.

Flowers:
White daisy flowers approximately 20 mm across with yellow centres, held on short stems above the foliage.

Fruit:
Produces small wind-dispersed seeds equipped with fine pappus hairs.

Ecology:
Adapted to cool, wet mountain habitats where it helps stabilise gravelly soils and occupies moist niches alongside streams and waterfalls. Seeds are dispersed by wind.

Associated habitats:
Mountain streams, seepages, waterfalls, wet rock faces, alpine gullies, herbfields and gravelly alpine terraces.

How to grow:
Plant in humus-rich, free-draining soil that remains consistently moist. Avoid hot dry positions and protect from prolonged drought. A partially shaded site with cool roots and good air circulation produces the best results.

Propagation:
Best propagated from fresh seed. Established plants can also be divided carefully. Young plants must never be allowed to dry out during establishment.

Cultural use:
An attractive component of New Zealand’s alpine flora and valued by collectors for its distinctive glossy foliage and cushion-forming habit.

Garden value:
A beautiful small alpine daisy ideal for moist rock gardens and shaded alpine displays. Its neat green cushions and bright white flowers provide year-round interest and contrast among silver-leaved alpine species.