Leucophyta brownii 'Silver Sand'

RHS Plant Profile
cushion bush 'Silver Sand'

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Synonyms

Calocephalus 'Silver Sand'

Shrubs

A compact, evergreen, bushy shrub to around 60cm tall with intricately-branched shoots and tiny, scale-like, silvery-grey leaves. Small, button-like, creamy-white to pale yellow flowerheads are borne in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H3
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
A genus of just one species (L. brownii) of perennial plant, native to rocky parts of Australia with silvery, ghost-like foliage. Silver, button-like buds appear in late spring to summer, opening to spherical racemes of yellow flowers
Name Status
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in well-drained soil in full sun or in a gritty, peat-free, loam-based compost in containers. Water containerised plants moderately when in full growth and sparingly at other times

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Architectural
  • Coastal
  • Rock garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 10. Pinch out stem tips of young plants to encourage bushy growth. Will not tolerate hard pruning

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds