How to Grow Brachyglottis
Brachyglottis (Dunedin Group) 'Sunshine'
Brachyglottis 'Sunshine' is a tough, drought-tolerant evergreen shrub with striking silver-grey leaves and bright yellow daisy flowers in June and July. Plant in full sun in well-drained soil — it thrives in coastal gardens and exposed spots. Water well to establish, then leave largely to its own devices. Give a light trim after flowering to keep it compact and a balanced slow-release feed each spring. Excellent drainage is the single most important requirement: it will not tolerate waterlogged soil.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Apply a light dressing of a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring as new growth begins. A single annual feed is usually sufficient for this naturally tough shrub.
Watch For
- Aphids on soft new growth in spring
- Vine weevil larvae in container-grown plants
- Root rot on poorly drained or waterlogged soils
- Leaf scorch from cold, drying winds
Companions
Lavender, Rosemary, Cistus, Euphorbia, Stipa grasses
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Thrives in full sun and performs best with at least 4-6 hours of direct sun daily. Tolerates partial shade but may become leggy and produce fewer flowers. Particularly well suited to open, sunny, coastal positions.
Watering
Low — drought tolerant once established
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Once established, this shrub is highly drought tolerant and rarely needs watering except during prolonged dry spells. Avoid overwatering, which encourages root rot.
Fertilizing
Light annual feed in spring
Apply a balanced slow-release granular fertiliser in spring. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which promote soft, floppy growth at the expense of the silver foliage quality and compact habit. No feeding required in summer or autumn.
Pruning
Light trim after flowering in July
Cut back flowered shoots by about one-third after the main flush in July to keep the plant compact and bushy. Remove frost-damaged or dead stems in early spring. Avoid cutting back into bare old wood, as new growth from old stems can be slow.
Spacing
100 cm apart
Allow 100 cm between plants for a border specimen. For a low informal hedge or mass planting, 75 cm spacing works well. The naturally spreading habit means plants fill in quickly.
Support
None required
A self-supporting, mound-forming shrub that needs no staking or tying in under normal conditions.
Growing Tips
Trim after flowering, not before
Brachyglottis flowers on growth made in the current season. Cutting back hard in spring removes the shoots that will carry the June flowers. Wait until after the flowers fade in July, then trim to shape.
Poor soil is fine — good drainage is not optional
This shrub evolved on well-drained New Zealand hillsides and actively dislikes rich, moist conditions. If your soil is heavy clay, improve drainage with grit at planting time or choose a raised bed or slope.
The silver foliage earns its place year-round
The white-felted undersides and silver-grey upper surfaces of the leaves are highly ornamental even when the plant is not in flower. It provides strong winter structure and partners well with other silver or blue-leaved plants.
Ideal for coastal and exposed gardens
Few shrubs handle salt-laden winds as well as Brachyglottis. Its felted leaves are adapted to resist moisture loss in windy conditions, making it a first-choice plant for seaside borders and windswept sites.
