Helichrysum italicum Weisses Wunder

Helichrysum 'Weisses Wunder' is a variety of Italian everlasting selected for its more compact and uniform habit, as well as the beauty of its foliage, which is wider and a beautiful silver-white colour. It is a perennial shrub of Mediterranean origin, moderately hardy but very drought-resistant. Its aromatic foliage releases a fragrance reminiscent of curry and diffuses several metres in hot weather or after rain. Its summer flowering with small golden yellow heads is charming, but can be removed to maintain the harmony of a pastel border. Its light foliage enhances all the garden or terrace flowers.

Native to the Mediterranean basin, the Hélichrysum italicum belongs to the asteraceae family. It is a fast-growing perennial undershrub with a dense tufted habit. 'Weisses Wunder' is a horticultural selection. This variety reaches about 30 cm in height and 40 cm in spread, its vegetation naturally remains dense and regular, without requiring pruning. Its leaves are evergreen. They are elongated and narrow, although wider than those of classic varieties, they are downy, light grey-silver and highly aromatic. The Italian everlasting produces small yellow flowers in heads between late May and July. They can be used to make dried bouquets with a bright yellow colour.

Helichrysum italicum 'Weisses Wunder' integrates perfectly into a rock garden, even in arid conditions. It always succeeds when combined with lavenders, oregano, thymes, and rosemary. Hardy down to -10°C, this undershrub thrives in light soils, including poor and rocky ones. It can also be used in romantic borders, for example at the base of roses. The fresh leaves can be used in cooking to flavour fish, grilled meats, rice, poultry, or marinades. Add them at the end of cooking, as their aroma in the kitchen is much less pronounced than the scent in the garden. The leaves are used for flavouring but are rather indigestible and it is best not to consume them. This plant grows well in pots and pleasantly perfumes a terrace.

The harvest: pick the flowers at the beginning of flowering to dry them. The evergreen leaves can be harvested throughout the year as needed. Storage: for bouquets, dry the flowered stems upside down in a dark room. They will keep for a long time this way. Use the leaves fresh.

The gardener's tip: if aphids or caterpillars invade the curry plant, use nettle manure or black soap.