Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Eriocephalus africanus or Cape Snow Bush

The genus Eriocephalus, family Asteraceae, comprises 35 species of plants native to southern Africa. Some species are: Eriocephalus africanus, Eriocephalus grandiflorus, Eriocephalus purpureus, Eriocephalus brevifolius, Eriocephalus ericoides.

Common names: Cape Snow Bush, Kapokbossie. This species is native to South Africa.

They are covering shrubs with a rounded bearing that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. They have aromatic linear leaves similar to those of Rosmarinus but grayish green in color. The flowers are white with a purple center and resemble daisies. They bloom in winter. They produce woolly fruits that are also decorative.

Cape Snow Bush is used to form low hedges, for rockeries and in bushy groups; it combines with plants such as Coleonema, Cistus, Aloe arborescens, Metalasia muricata, Teucrium, Rosmarinus or Melianthus. It's ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens and for large cities due to its resistance to pollution.

Eriocephalus africanus needs full sun exposure. It resists frost down to -5 ºC (23 ºF).

Kapokbossie can grow in stony, poor, calcareous and arid soils. It's important that the drainage is excellent.

Water moderately waiting for the substrate to dry; it resists drought well.

Cape Snow Bush does not need fertilizers.

Eriocephalus africanus tolerates heavy pruning well in late autumn.

Kapokbossie is a resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases.

Cape Snow Bush propagates by cuttings during the summer.

Images of the shrub Eriocephalus africanus or Cape Snow Bush