Cassinia retorta Ward Silver

Cassinia Ward Silver is an evergreen New Zealand bush with the appearance of a large silver heather, that thrives in coastal gardens. The plant forms a luminous, architectural mass in just a few years, maintaining a beautiful presence throughout the year despite wind, cold, and drought. Its cream-white flowering emits a delightful honey scent, and the vegetation releases a cake-like aroma in warm weather, according to some observers. Tolerating both acidic and limestone soils and hardy down to -12°C (10.4°F), this Australian shrub only requires sunlight and well-drained, rather poor, soil.

Cassinia Ward Silver (also known as Ozothamnus leptophyllus) belongs to the Asteraceae family, closely related to Olearia, Senecio, and Helichrysum. The species is native to New Zealand, specifically the North Island, where it can be found on dunes and sandy terrains. 'Ward Silver' is a fast-growing shrub with a slightly disorderly habit, reaching an average height of 1.75m (6ft) and a spread of 1.30m (4ft) in 10 years. Its lifespan is relatively short. The entire plant is covered in silver-white fuzz. The branches bear small, tight, thin, rigid leaves that are 5mm (0.2 in) long, curved, and almost stalkless. They are smooth on the top but densely covered in white fuzz on the underside. This beautiful foliage remains evergreen in winter. Flowering occurs from May to August depending on the region, usually in July in average climates. It consists of numerous cream-white flower heads resembling tiny daisies, arranged in small terminal clusters that are themselves gathered in umbels. This pleasantly scented flowering attracts many pollinating insects. After pollination, fruits with feathery plumes are formed, which are known as akènes.

Cassinia retorta Ward Silver naturally finds a place in a coastal garden, where it can be used as an informal hedge, in shrub borders, or in a large rockery. It can be combined with other evergreen coastal shrubs that appreciate the same environments: Callistemon rigidus, cistus, cistus, Pistacia lentiscus, Pittosporum tobira, Medicago arborea, Phlomis fruticosa, laurier-rose, Olearia traversii, Atriplex... It is perfectly suited to gardens in coastal regions. However, this shrub is hardy and tolerant enough to be planted further inland, provided it is given a sheltered position, away from cold winds.