Care of the shrub Eriocephalus africanus or Cape Snow Bush |
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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. They are used to form low hedges, for rockeries and in bushy groups; they combine with plants such as Coleonema, Cistus, Aloe arborescens, Metalasia muricata, Teucrium, Rosmarinus or Melianthus. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens and for large cities due to their resistance to pollution. Eriocephalus africanus needs full sun exposure. They resist frost down to -5 ºC (23 ºF). They 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; they resist drought well. They do not need fertilizers. They tolerate heavy pruning well in late autumn. They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases. They propagate by cuttings during the summer. |
Images of the shrub Eriocephalus africanus or Cape Snow Bush |
 Eriocephalus africanus  Eriocephalus africanus  Eriocephalus africanus  Eriocephalus africanus  Eriocephalus africanus |