General Description:

The genus Olearia is found in Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea and has about 130 species native to Australia. They are generally small to medium shrubs commonly known as “daisy bushes”.

Olearia ciliata is a small shrub to about 0.3 metres high. The leaves are linear in shape to about 150 mm long with fringed margins. The well-displayed, daisy flower heads are purple or mauve and about 25 mm in diameter. Flowering occurs in late winter and spring.

With a few exceptions, olearias are not commonly seen in cultivation. O.ciltata well suited to growing in a rockery or as a foreground plant in a bush garden. It is reported to be hardy in well drained soils in a sunny position. The species is tolerant of at least moderate frost and, once established will tolerate extended dry conditions.

Propagation of O.ciliata may be carried out from seed but germination may be unreliable. Propagation from cuttings of current season’s growth is usually not difficult.

* Thanks to David Hollombe for advice on the derivation of the name Olearia (some authorities record the derivation as being for Adam Olearius (Johann Gottfried Oelschlaeger) a 17th century botanical author – this seems to be in error).