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which helichrysum is best

If you're wondering which helichrysum is best for your garden, you're not alone. This unique genus offers a range of beautiful foliage plants and groundcovers that bring silver and grey-green tones, soft texture, and drought tolerance to New Zealand gardens. While the best helichrysum for you depends on your personal preference and the site conditions, this guide will help you compare some of the top contenders widely grown and loved across Aotearoa.

Helichrysum petiolare plants with grey foliage growing as a ground cover.

Helichrysum petiolare (Trailing Dusty Miller)

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant) is a popular evergreen plant valued for its soft silver foliage and trailing growth habit. The attractive leaves provide year round colour and texture, making it a favourite for containers, hanging baskets, borders, and groundcover plantings.

Buy Helichrysum petiolare (Trailing Dusty Miller)

From $24.77

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Groundcover Plants

Height: 35 cm

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring, which are followed by small, blue berries in summer. These are held neatly above the variegated, strap-like leaves, which are coloured yellow and green. It typically grows to 50 cm tall and the same wide.

Buy Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

From $20.63

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Flaxes

Height: 55 cm

Spread: 50 cm

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native

Choosing the Right Helichrysum for Your Garden

Before deciding which helichrysum is best, consider how you'll use the plant. Helichrysums thrive as groundcovers, fillers, trailing accent plants, and even in containers. Their soft, silver or grey-green foliage makes them particularly attractive in borders, rock gardens, or when paired with vibrant flowering shrubs and perennials.

Top Helichrysum Varieties in New Zealand

Helichrysum argyrophyllum

Helichrysum argyrophyllum is a superb choice if you're looking for a dense, cascading groundcover with striking silver foliage. Its trailing, mat-forming habit makes it perfect for walls, banks, and containers. Tiny yellow button blooms appear in summer, adding a cheerful touch. This variety is also highly drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.

Helichrysum Guacamole

For drama and bold colour, Helichrysum Guacamole stands out. It features larger, lush leaves with a soft silver-green hue and an upright habit, making it ideal for borders and mixed plantings. Its vibrant foliage works well as a contrast plant alongside deep greens and flamboyant blooms.

Helichrysum Silver

If you love the look of classic silver, Helichrysum Silver offers an elegant, shimmering mat of foliage. It’s loved for its neat, compact habit and ability to suppress weeds, making it a favourite for edging pathways or tumbling over retaining walls. Its resilience to coastal conditions makes it a go-to for seaside gardens.

Helichrysum Graeme Patterson

Helichrysum Graeme Patterson is a versatile groundcover and ideal for dry, tricky spots where little else thrives. With its soft, silvery foliage and trailing habit, it spreads easily but remains tidy. It works beautifully in pots, hanging baskets, and as a weed-suppressing layer beneath taller plants.

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

For a soft, textured effect, Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant) delivers. Its velvety, silver-hued leaves have a gentle licorice scent and look wonderful spilling over pots or garden beds. Licorice Plant is prized for both its ornamental and aromatic qualities, thriving in full sun to partial shade.

Which Helichrysum Is Best for You?

The answer to "which helichrysum is best" depends on your garden’s needs and aesthetic goals. If you want a ground-hugging silver carpet, Helichrysum argyrophyllum or Helichrysum Silver are excellent picks. For more upright form or unique colour, consider Helichrysum Guacamole. If you need versatility and resilience, Helichrysum Graeme Patterson or the scented Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant) won’t disappoint. With such adaptable and attractive options, there's a helichrysum ready to elevate any New Zealand garden.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

which helichrysum is best

Helichrysum petiolare (Trailing Dusty Miller)

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

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Choosing the Right Helichrysum for Your Garden