Botanical name:

Celmisia semicordata

Common name(s):

Giant Mountain Daisy, Tikumu

About:

This is the largest native New Zealand celmisia species. It is a large tufted perennial herb characterised by its striking silvery-green leaves that form a tightly packed and visually appealing 'rosette.' The stiff, leathery leaves are adorned with soft white hairs on the underside, providing a unique texture. Each individual plant can produce an impressive display of 10 or more beautiful mountain daisies on separate stems that can reach lengths of up to 12cm.

Natural habitat:

Sea-level to Alpine. Occupying a wide range of sites and habitats though most abundant in subalpine and lower alpine shrub- and grassland. Seaward of the Paparoa Range at Charleston and Nine Mile Bluff it grows on steep bluffs and ledges at sea level, and in south Westland it occurs on outwash gravels at the foot of the mountains below 150m altitude. It is sporadic in tall-tussock grassland especially on wetter sites. All three subspecies of Celmisia semicordata, often rapidly invade sites disturbed by burning, heavy grazing, and erosion.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Wind, Clay & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s South Island only; North-West Nelson, Nelson Lakes National Park, Westland (to sea level at Charleston and Nine-Mile Bluff) to about Fiordland; becoming more common further south along and west of the Main Divide, but with outlier populations in the east near Hamner, Waiau Valley, Lake Sumner, Puketeraki Range, Mount Peel, and the Hunters Hills.

Height: 50cm

Flowering:

October – February with a white or yellow coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

November - July

Uses:

Bee food & container friendly.

How to grow:

Easily grown in a shaded site, planted within a permanently moist, free draining, acidic soil. Dislikes humidity and will not tolerate drying out. Best grown from fresh seed which should be sown immediately or stratified in a fridge or freezer for 1-3 months

** 4 – 6 weeks cold stratification is recommended.