Silver Curry Bush (Helichrysum)

18-24″ tall x 30-36″ wide. A fabulous, recent introduction to American horticulture, Silver Curry bush hails from the distant and very cold Tian Shan Mountains on the border between Kazakhstan and western China. The fine textured, evergreen foliage is pure white in bright sun; it’s the plant’s most attractive feature. When brushed, the leaves give off the pleasant scent of curry. The small yellow yarrow-like flowers appear in mid-summer but aren’t very showy. This is a plant that thrives in extreme conditions thriving in hot, dry sites with cold winters. Yet it does extremely well in the mild climate of the Pacific Northwest. A very versatile small shrub! Cut back by a foot every 3 to 4 years to re-invigorate it and give it a compact shape. Low fertility, well-drained soil. Plant with Lavender and Russian sage.