Click photo to enlarge
Celmisia, the mountain daisy. Photo by Linda Robertson.
Celmisia, the mountain daisy, is one of the
spectacular sights of alpine New Zealand.
A predominantly native genus of 60 or so species, mostly
found in sub- to high alpine areas, it can, however, grow at
sea level.
The mountain daisy has a simple daisy flower but diverse
foliage and form.
Leaves are often leathery, usually with the underside clothed
in a white tomentum which in a few species can range from
yellowish to buff or rusty brown.
Growth habit can range from prostrate or sprawling clumps to
mats made up of small rosettes, to large rosette-forming
species.
Some Celmisia can be short-lived.
They usually do best in a free-draining, gritty mix in part
shade to full sun, depending on species.
Dead leaves around the base of the plant should not be
removed as these prevent the plant from drying out.
Propagation
• Seed - all species can be grown from seed; in some cases
this is the only method of propagation available.
For best results, it should be sown as fresh as possible.
Sow seed atop a free-draining seed mix and cover lightly with
small gravel chips.
Store in a well-lit area, shaded from direct sunlight at a
temperature range between 10 to 15degC.
Germination can occur in four to six weeks.
• Cuttings can be taken from woody-stemmed species such as
C. angustifolia.
• Divisions can be taken from the rosette-forming species
such as C. monroi, or the creeping species that root
where the stems touch the ground, such as C.
bellidioides.
• Celmisia species grow in the Native and Rock Garden
Collections at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
Nicola Baines is a third-year nursery apprentice at
Dunedin Botanic Garden.
