Observe the frost on Pachystegia insignis (sometimes called Olearia insignis) and see value added to a plant that you may pass by without a second glance at this time of year.

A tough, squat evergreen shrub from Australia and New Zealand. The felty grey young stems hold the green leaves which have caught the frozen moisture in the atmosphere giving them an edge of white ice to our benefit. Daisy like flowers appear during the summer. The remains of one at seed stage can be seen in the attached image.

The plant enjoys full sun with a root zone that drains rapidly.

Pachystegia insignis

Pachystegia insignis