The silver edged leaves of Brachyglottis 'Sunshine'.

B. 'Sunshine' in flower.

The leaves of B. 'Moira Read' become variegated as they mature. Photo from the Hebe Society.

B. ×spedenii, a naturally occuring hybrid Photo from the Hebe Society.

Compare this plant to:

Ajania pacifica

Salvia discolor

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Brachyglottis   J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. 1996

Asteraceae

A group of compositeae, formerly placed within Senecio, native to New Zealand and Tasmania.

Synonymy: Senecio L. 2005; Urostemon B. Nord. 2006

The genus Brachyglottis contains several shrubs previously classified as Senecio, and is closely related to Olearia. A number of the New Zealand species have bold foliage and white or yellow daisy-like flowers, usually with distinctive white felted leaf undersides, making them desirable garden subjects.

Because of their overall similarities, there is a great deal of confusion with regard to their prroper naming. Here we're made an attempt to sort out the mess but would be happy to hear from knowledgeable readers.

Do you have something to say? We'd love to hear from you.

Hybrids

Brachyglottis 'Dunedin Group'

A number of hybrids with various cultivar names, bred from crossing a number of Brachyglottis species (B. compactus, B. greyi, B. laxifolia). Named for Dunedin Botanic Garden, New Zealand's first Botanic Garden.

B. (Dunedin Group) 'Otari Cloud'

Reportedly more compact (4.5ft / 1.5m) than its commonly available sibling 'Sunshine', and the new leaves start out quite white-felty.

B. (Dunedin Group) 'Moira Read'

The oval leaves of this low growing selection (3ft / 1m) are grey when young, becoming green, with irregular blotches of cream and light green variegation at their centers. The typical yellow flowers of the genus in summer.

B. (Dunedin Group) 'Sunshine'

Synonymy : Brachyglottis compacta 'Sunshine' Hort.; Senecio compactus 'Sunshine' Hort.; Senecio 'Sunshine' Hort.; Senecio greyii 'Sunshine' Hort.

The most commonly available plant, quite variable in the trade apparently due to occasional seed propagation down through the years. Gray-green leaf upper, felty white underside and distinct white edge, bright yellow daisy flowers. Can become large over time and spread widely (up to 6ft / 2m) so a routinely shearing will help it maintain a more reasonable shape and avoid the legginess this plant is know for. Has modestly naturalized in coastal cliffs in the UK.

Brachyglottis 'Drysdale'

Compact and dense (3ft / 1m), dark leaves with delicately wavy edges and white undersides.

Brachyglottis ×spedenii (Petrie) B.Nord.

Synonymy: Senecio × spedenii B.Nord.

A small, compact, evergreen shrub (18in / 45cm) with small, spear-shaped leaves .5in / 1-1.5cm, green above, white below, with a pale edge.

B. 'Silver Dormouse' is a new selection with a more compact form.

Brachyglottis 'Walberton's Silver Dormouse' ('Walbrach')

Compact, dense plant with largish gray-felted leaves and white undersides. An improvement on 'Sunshine' being less prone to legginess, brown leaves, and stem die-back.

Species

Brachyglottis compacta (Kirk) B.Nord.

Synonymy: Senecio compactus Kirk 1880

A bushy, evergreen shrub, of variable habit, growing up to 40in / 1m or more. The oval leaves .8-1.6in / 2-4cm long, are green above, white below, with slightly toothed edges. The summer flowers are yellow. Found on limestone coastal cliffs at and near Castle Point, Wellington, North Island, New Zealand, it is a parent of the very popular hybrid 'Sunshine'.

B. greyi (Hook.f.)R.Nordenstam.

Synonymy: Senecio greyi Hook.f.

Oval, gray-green leaves with felty undersides and edge outlining, with numerous bright yellow daisy flowers. Frequently plants offered under this name are actually one of the 'Dunedin Hybrids'.

B. laxifolia (Buch.)R.Nordenstam.

Synonymy: Senecio laxifolius Buchanan

Long, oval leaves, green above, felty white below, yellow daisy flowers in small clusters.

B. monroi (Hook.f.)R.Nordenstam.

Synonymy: Senecio monroi Hook.f.

A bushy, spreading, evergreen shrub, which grows to 24-48in / 60-120cm. The spear-shaped leaves, 1-2in / 2.5-5cm long, are light green above, felty-white below, with slightly crinkled, toothed edges. Yellow summer flowers. Found in scrubland and rocky places in subalpine to alpine areas, from Marlborough to north Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand.

References

The Hebe Society. New Zealand Plants - B. Website http://www.hebesoc.org/nz_plants/nz_plants_b/nz_plants_b.htm   [accessed 16 March 2010].

Wagstaff, Steven J., and Breitwieser, Ilse.. 2004. Phylogeny and classification of Brachyglottis (Senecioneae, Asteraceae): An Example of a Rapid Species Radiation in New Zealand.. Systematic Botany. 29(4): pp. 1003-1010. American Society of Plant Taxonomists. http://www.bioone.org/doi/pdf/10.1600/0363644042450991