natural herbs
Olearia x haastii

Herb latin name: Olearia x haastii

Family: Compositae

Description of the plant:

Plant:

Evergreen
Shrub

Height:

2.5 m
(8 ¹/₄ foot)

Flowering:

July to
August

Habitat of Olearia x haastii:

A naturally occurring hybrid, O. avicenniifolia x O. moschata.

Other uses of the herb:

Very resistant to maritime exposure and tolerant of severe pruning, this plant can be used as an effective windbreak hedge in exposed maritime areas. It makes a good dwarf hedge that rarely exceeds 2 metres in height.

Propagation of Olearia x haastii:

Seed - surface sow in early spring in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. If growth has been sufficiently good, plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of the following year, otherwise grow them on for another year in pots and plant them out the following early summer. This species is a hybrid and so will not breed true from seed. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in late August and overwinter in a cold frame then plant out in late spring or early summer. Good percentage. Cuttings of moderately ripe wood of the current years growth, 5 - 10cm with a heel, November in a frame. High percentage.

Cultivation of the herb: