How to Grow Olearia
Olearia × haastii
Olearia (Daisy Bush) is an outstanding coastal hedging shrub, prized for its masses of white daisy-like flowers in July and grey-green evergreen foliage. Extremely wind and salt tolerant, it thrives in exposed seaside gardens where many other plants struggle. Plant 45 cm apart for hedging from autumn to spring. Trim once a year after flowering in late summer. Grows 2-3m at a moderate rate. Tolerates poor, dry soil and needs minimal feeding. Not fully hardy in severe inland winters — best suited to mild and coastal areas.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Light feed in spring with balanced fertiliser. Olearia is not a hungry plant and over-feeding encourages soft growth vulnerable to frost.
Watch For
- Scale insects
- Phytophthora root rot (in waterlogged soil)
Companions
Escallonia, Griselinia, Pittosporum, Hebe
Track your Olearia care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun; tolerates light shade but flowers less
Olearia flowers best in full sun. It tolerates light shade but produces fewer flowers and may become leggy. In coastal gardens, full exposure is ideal as the plant thrives in open, windy positions.
💧 Watering
Drought-tolerant once established; dislikes waterlogging
Water newly planted olearia regularly during the first season. Once established, it is very drought-tolerant and rarely needs supplemental watering. Avoid waterlogged soil at all costs — this is the main cause of plant death.
🌱 Fertilizing
Light spring feed; not demanding
Apply a light dressing of balanced granular fertiliser in early spring. Olearia is not a hungry plant and over-feeding encourages soft growth that is vulnerable to frost damage. In poor soils, a single spring feed is sufficient.
✂️ Pruning
Trim after flowering in August-September
Trim hedges once a year after flowering finishes in late summer. This removes spent flower heads and shapes the plant while allowing new growth to harden before winter. Can be cut back hard in spring if renovation is needed — regenerates well from old wood.
Growing Tips
Perfect for coastal gardens
Olearia is one of the best hedging plants for exposed coastal sites. It shrugs off salt spray and strong winds that would damage most other hedges.
Prune after flowering
Unlike many hedges that are clipped in spring, olearia should be trimmed after its July flowering display. This preserves the flower buds for next year.
Tolerates hard renovation
Unlike conifers, olearia regenerates well from old wood. If a hedge has become overgrown, it can be cut back hard in spring and will regrow.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Scale Insects
Identification: Small brown or white bumps on stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew and sooty mould on leaves below; weakened growth
- Scrub off with a soft brush dipped in soapy water
- Encourage natural predators such as ladybirds and parasitic wasps
- Spray with plant oil-based winter wash when dormant
- Apply systemic insecticide in spring if infestation is heavy
Disease Phytophthora Root Rot Phytophthora spp.
Symptoms: Sudden wilting and death of branches or whole plant; dark discolouration at stem base; roots blackened and rotten
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plants; do not replant olearia in the same spot; improve drainage
Prevention: Ensure good drainage — never plant in waterlogged soil; avoid heavy clay without amendment; raise planting level slightly in wet areas
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 45 cm |
| Row spacing | 45 cm |
| Mature height | 150 cm |
| Mature spread | 120 cm |
45 cm apart for a dense hedge. For standalone specimen shrubs, allow 150 cm.
Log Olearia in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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