Helichrysum argyrophyllum, the golden guinea everlasting or vaalsewejaartjie in Afrikaans has grey leaves, often an indicator of being drought resistant. Some call the leaf colour silver or metallic; probably true, but those descriptors are more indicative of the car sale world! The leaf shape is obovate, tapering into the petiole. The margin is entire and the leaf folds inwards somewhat along the main axis.

The long (ever?) lasting daisies of Helichrysum argyrophyllum with their bright yellow ray flowers and dark mustard coloured centres serve as attraction for gardeners. The plant’s tendency to spread into a ground-covering mat in full sun, even on poor sandy soil, makes it a good choice.  It produces flowers abundantly throughout summer and autumn.

Sandy soil usually means a preference for good drainage. It is also frost hardy. Even those headache causing barren slopes among rocks in the garden’s worst spot may not prove too much for this willing grower. In nature this plant is found in the Eastern Cape coastal areas ((www.cradocnursery.com.au and www.plantzafrica.com).