Celmisia hectorii

Botanical name: Celmisia hectorii
Synonyms: None known
Common name(s): Hector’s Daisy

About:
Celmisia hectorii is a distinctive alpine mountain daisy that forms broad, low-growing mats of densely packed silvery foliage. Unlike many larger Celmisia species, it spreads by woody branching stems to create extensive patches across alpine grasslands and rocky slopes. Its white-haired leaves and compact growth habit make it one of the more recognisable South Island mountain daisies.

Natural habitat:
Montane to subalpine grasslands, herbfields, rocky outcrops and open alpine habitats.

Growing environment:
Prefers cool climates, free-draining soils and reliable moisture. Thrives in alpine gardens, rockeries and alpine houses where humidity is low and roots remain cool.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found throughout much of the South Island from Canterbury southwards.

Height:
5–15 cm

Width:
Up to 1.8 m across in large mature colonies

Flowering:
October–February

Fruiting:
November–April

Uses:

• Alpine and rock gardens
• Groundcover for cool-climate landscapes
• Native alpine collections
• Scree and gravel gardens
• Habitat restoration in alpine environments

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A densely branched woody subshrub forming broad mats and low patches. Older stems become woody and remain clothed in persistent leaf bases.

Leaves:
Small linear-spatulate to obovate leaves, 1–2.5 cm long. Both surfaces are covered in white to silvery hairs, giving the plant a soft grey-white appearance. Leaves are densely clustered into rosettes at branch tips.

Flowers:
White daisy flowers 2–3 cm across with yellow centres, carried on short woolly stems above the foliage.

Fruit:
Produces small wind-dispersed seeds fitted with a pappus of fine hairs.

Ecology:
Its dense mats provide shelter for alpine invertebrates and help stabilise shallow mountain soils. The flowers attract alpine pollinating insects during the growing season. Seeds are dispersed by wind.

Associated habitats:
Alpine herbfields, tussock grasslands, rocky slopes, fellfields, mountain ridges and subalpine grasslands.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun or light shade in a cool position with excellent drainage. The soil should remain evenly moist but never waterlogged. Protect from excessive summer heat and high humidity.

Propagation:
Readily grown from fresh seed and can also be propagated from hardwood cuttings. Fresh seed usually provides the most reliable results.

Cultural use:
Named in honour of Sir James Hector, one of New Zealand’s most influential nineteenth-century scientists and naturalists.

Garden value:
An attractive mat-forming alpine daisy valued for its silvery foliage, compact habit and ability to form extensive groundcover. It is particularly effective in alpine troughs, rock gardens and cool-climate native plantings where its year-round foliage provides strong visual interest.