Ozothamnus selago is a compact, evergreen alpine shrub from the high mountains of New Zealand’s South Island, where it inhabits windswept ridges, rocky slopes, and open heath. In these exposed environments it forms tight, hummock-like cushions, an adaptation that translates beautifully to cultivation as a dense, textural mound.
The foliage is fine and closely set, composed of small, narrow, gray-green leaves that give the plant a soft, silvery cast and a refined, almost moss-like appearance at a distance. In a more low land setting it can make a more robust shrub to 2’ tall and as wide. In summer, the plant is dotted with small clusters of creamy white to pale straw-colored flowers, subtle but effective against the cool-toned foliage and attractive to pollinators.
In the garden, it demands excellent drainage and thrives in gritty, low-nutrient soils in full sun, making it particularly well suited to alpine houses, troughs, and sharply drained rock gardens. It is intolerant of excessive winter wet and warm humid conditions, preferring a climate that mirrors its native highland origins—cool, bright, and airy.
Hardy to approximately USDA Zones 7–9 with perfect drainage, Ozothamnus selago is a plant for the specialist grower, valued less for bold floral display than for its exquisite texture, compact habit, and ability to evoke true alpine character in miniature, A must have structural anchor plant for the rock or crevice garden.
Its botanical name, Ozothamnus, derives from Greek words, 'ozo' meaning smell and 'thamnos' meaning shrub, possibly referring to the aromatic foliage. New Zealand native.
Ozothamnus selago is a compact, evergreen alpine shrub from the high mountains of New Zealand’s South Island, where it inhabits windswept ridges, rocky slopes, and open heath. In these exposed environments it forms tight, hummock-like cushions, an adaptation that translates beautifully to cultivation as a dense, textural mound.
The foliage is fine and closely set, composed of small, narrow, gray-green leaves that give the plant a soft, silvery cast and a refined, almost moss-like appearance at a distance. In a more low land setting it can make a more robust shrub to 2’ tall and as wide. In summer, the plant is dotted with small clusters of creamy white to pale straw-colored flowers, subtle but effective against the cool-toned foliage and attractive to pollinators.
In the garden, it demands excellent drainage and thrives in gritty, low-nutrient soils in full sun, making it particularly well suited to alpine houses, troughs, and sharply drained rock gardens. It is intolerant of excessive winter wet and warm humid conditions, preferring a climate that mirrors its native highland origins—cool, bright, and airy.
Hardy to approximately USDA Zones 7–9 with perfect drainage, Ozothamnus selago is a plant for the specialist grower, valued less for bold floral display than for its exquisite texture, compact habit, and ability to evoke true alpine character in miniature, A must have structural anchor plant for the rock or crevice garden.
Its botanical name, Ozothamnus, derives from Greek words, 'ozo' meaning smell and 'thamnos' meaning shrub, possibly referring to the aromatic foliage. New Zealand native.
