Inula candida subsp. verbascifolia

Inula candida subsp. verbascifolia is a small perennial plant from the aster family native to southeastern Europe where it is found anchored in rocky areas and limestone scree, up to altitudes of 800m (2,625ft). This species is interesting for its attractive evergreen foliage, which is white to grey and covered in fine hairs, its flowers that resemble tiny yellow daisies, and its great drought tolerance. Little known to gardeners, this plant deserves to be tried in a rocky setting, in regions without very harsh winters.

Inula candida subsp. verbascifolia (syn. Pentanema verbascifolium) is naturally present in the coastal areas of the Balkan Peninsula, southeastern Italy, and Anatolia. In nature, this small plant is found in rock crevices, between stones in old walls, in sunny or semi-shaded places. It first forms rosettes, then prostrate or curved stems, ramified at the base, more or less leafy, the entire cushion measuring about 15cm (6in) in height and 20cm (8in) in width. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, the basal ones have long petioles, while those located in the upper part of the stems are smaller and almost petiole-less. The stem and leaves are hairy, the latter are almost white when they first emerge, then become more greyish. Flowering begins around June and generally ends in August. The small flowers are organised in 1cm (0,4in) diameter heads. Each head has outer florets in the shape of bright yellow tongues around a centre composed of orange tubular flowers. The seed heads are tufted. A sun-loving plant of rocky or stony soil, preferably limestone, it is very drought-resistant and hardy down to -12°C (10.4°F) at its lowest. The Latin name of this species, candida, comes from the light colour of the foliage. The name of the subspecies, verbascifolia, refers to the similarity of the leaves with the leaves of certain mulleins (Verbascum).

Inula candida subsp. verbascifolia will be satisfied with poor soil, similar to what it encounters in its natural habitat. Plant it between the stones of a rockery or rock garden, with Centaurea ragusina, Tanacetum haradjanii, Euphorbia myrsinites, Erigeron karvinskianus, or the entire range of Delosperma.