Botanical name:

Craspedia incana

Common name(s):

Billy buttons, woollyheads

About:

A rosette-forming plant that notably dies down and becomes dormant in the cold winter months. The oval-shaped leaves of this plant are distinctly covered in a dense layer of white tomentum, which gives the entire plant a thick, velvety appearance that is quite striking. In addition to the foliage, the flowering stems are also adorned with this white tomentum, and when the flower heads open, they reveal a cluster of tightly packed yellow florets that add a burst of colour to the overall look.

Natural habitat:

Upper montane to alpine levels on screes and stony slopes.

Growing environment:

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

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s South Island east of the main divide from Marlborough to Otago.

Height: 30cm

Flowering:

Summer with a yellow/white coloured flower/s.

Uses:

Bee food & Flowers

How to grow:

Grown from fresh seed. Best grown in an alpine house, needing a scree-like growing medium and excellent drainage to prevent the crown from rotting.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though