Billy Buttons

Botanical name: Craspedia incana
Synonyms: None
Common name(s): Billy Buttons, Woollyheads

About:
Craspedia incana is a distinctive alpine perennial endemic to New Zealand’s South Island. It is admired for its dense silvery-white woolly foliage and bright golden-yellow spherical flower heads that rise above the leaves on slender stems during summer. Naturally occurring in exposed mountain environments, it is well adapted to harsh conditions, making it an excellent choice for rock gardens and alpine plantings.

Natural habitat:
Upper montane to alpine screes, rocky slopes, open herbfields and stony alpine habitats.

Growing environment:
Thrives in full sun with free-draining, gravelly or rocky soils. Tolerates frost, snow, wind and dry conditions once established, but dislikes prolonged wet soils.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Naturally confined to the South Island.

Height:
15–30 cm when in leaf, with flowering stems reaching up to 60 cm.

Width:
20–40 cm

Flowering:
Summer.

Fruiting:
Late summer to autumn. Wind-dispersed seeds develop from the flowering heads.

Uses:
• Alpine and rock gardens
• Dry gravel gardens
• Native plant collections
• Pollinator gardens
• Fresh and dried floral arrangements
• Container planting

Appearance:
Growth habit:
A compact tufted perennial forming dense clumps of silvery foliage with upright flowering stems.

Leaves:
Obovate to spoon-shaped leaves densely covered in soft silvery-white woolly hairs, creating an attractive year-round appearance.

Flowers:
Bright golden-yellow globe-shaped flower heads, 2–3 cm across, held on slender woolly stems above the foliage. Highly attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.

Fruit:
Small dry seed (cypsela) with a feathery pappus that enables wind dispersal.

Ecology:
An alpine species adapted to exposed mountain conditions. Its seeds are dispersed by wind, allowing it to colonise open rocky habitats.

Associated habitats:
Alpine herbfields, scree slopes, rocky outcrops, mountain grasslands and exposed stony ridges.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun in sharply drained soil. Gravel or sandy soils are ideal. Avoid heavy clay and poorly drained sites. Water during establishment only, then allow the soil to dry between watering.

Propagation:
Propagated from fresh seed or by division of established clumps. Seed germinates readily in cool conditions with good drainage.

Cultural use:
Although not widely recorded in traditional Māori use, this species forms part of New Zealand’s unique alpine flora and contributes to the country’s distinctive mountain ecosystems.

Garden value:
Billy Buttons provides outstanding contrast with its silver foliage and bright yellow flowers. It is highly valued in alpine, rock and contemporary gardens, while its long-lasting blooms are excellent for fresh or dried flower arrangements.