Eriocephalus africanus

Eriocephalus africanus Details

Eriocephalus africanus, commonly known as Wild Rosemary or the Snow Bush, is a shrub grown for its lovely foliage, flowers, and aromatics. It boasts thin, needle like, grey leaves which smell like Vicks when crushed. In winter the plant becomes covered in small, white flowers. The flowers are made up of 2-3 showy white ray florets on the outside and purple disc florets at the centre. Bees are attracted to the flowers and the flowers result in fruits that are covered in long, white hairs. These attractive, fluffy seed heads look like cotton wool or snow. It typically grows to 2 m tall and the same wide and can be trimmed as necessary. Best results with this tree are achieved when grown on a well-drained site in full sun. It is hardy to frost, dry periods, and coastal environments. Eriocephalus africanus is commonly included in mixed plantings and borders, trimmed into a hedge, used as a groundcover, or planted anywhere its pleasant aroma can be enjoyed. It is perfect for those drier areas of the garden.