Chiliotrichum diffusum
Chiliotrichum diffusum
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in a sheltered position in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[1, 2]. Tolerates dry soils[2]. A good plant for maritime gardens[3]. Succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of Britain but it is not very hardy in other parts of the country[1, 4, 2]. However, it is more cold tolerant than the closely related Olearia spp and can withstand temperatures down to about -5°c or lower when in a suitable position[1, 2]. Another report says that it will tolerate temperatures down to about -12°c[3]. A very variable species, the leaves can range from needle-like to fairly broad[4]. There are several named forms[4].
Propagation
Seed - we have no information on this species but would suggest surface sowing the seed in early spring in a sunny position in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Chiliotrichum+diffusum>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
- [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [3]Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 — Phillips. R. & Rix. M. · Pan Books, London. · 1998 · ISBN 0-330-37376-5 ↩︎Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.
- [4]The Milder Garden. — Taylor. J. · Dent · 1990 ↩︎A good book on plants that you didn't know could be grown outdoors in Britain.
- [5]Flora of Tierra del Fuego. — Moore. D. M. · Anthony Nelson. · 1983 · ISBN 0-904614-05-0 ↩︎Standard work for this part of S. America. Excellent details of habitat and a few notes on plant uses.