Helichrysum milfordiae

RHS Plant Profile

Milford everlasting flower

RHS

Synonyms

Helichrysum marginatum misapplied

Alpine Rockery

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An evergreen perennial forming a compact mat comprised of rosettes of small silvery leaves. Solitary white everlasting flower-heads 2-3cm wide, deep crimson on reverse are borne on stems to 10cm in spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Helichrysum can be annuals, herbaceous or evergreen perennials or shrubs, usually with grey-hairy foliage and papery everlasting flower-heads
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S. Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, gritty, sharply drained soil in full sun. Protect from excessive winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed. Seed is best sown fresh as soon as ripe in the autumn or sow in spring. Divide in spring. Take single rosette cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden

Pruning

Remove spent flowers and winter damaged stems

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility. May also be susceptible to downy mildews and powdery mildews