Helichrysum ecklonis named after Christian Friedrich Ecklon (1795 – 1868). A Dane who first visited South Africa in 1823 as an apprentice apothecary. Developing an interest in the flora he co authored a catalogue of South African plants; 1835-37.

This is one of the everlasting flowers, and has the common name Ecklon’s Everlasting. From the evergreen leaf stock scale like shoots terminate in a ray of crisp paper thin pointed petals. Light pink outer rays with a yellow centre these bleach white with time. In bud there is a covering of silvery hairs protecting the young growth. A similar covering is found over the ground hugging vegetation, giving an almost cobweb lie appearance.

Seed from the parent plant was collected in Lesotho, although this perennial’s range extends to Natal and South Africa. Found growing on a rough rocky hillside within scrub at 2750m. Well worth growing in a hot sunny open situation. Just make sure the soil is open and free draining.

Helichrysum ecklonis

Helichrysum ecklonis