The Marble Daisy Bush
Olearia astroloba is one of those Australian native plants that is rare even in cultivation and from a very small area in eastern Victoria. It is restricted to the Tambo Valley,and even there found only in an area known as the Marble Gully.
Sometimes called the Mrble Daisy Busy. it is available in cultivation but very difficult to find, however it is well worth growing in a native garden or in the general garden border.
Best described as a small open shrub of bush, the leaves are clustered close the stems and the flowers similar.
Flowers are daisy like and this member of the daisy family is fast growing and easy care.
Once established like many Olearia species it is both drought tolerant and frost hardy.
How to grow Olearia astroloba
A sunny position and a free draining soil are the essential elements to successfully growing Olearia astroloba
- Choose a position in good morning sun with some light or dapples afternoon shade.
- Plant in a humus rich well drained neural to slightly alkaline soil.
- Water in well when first planting.
- Much lightly around the plant.
- A little extra water during the establishment period may be required.
Pruning Olearia astroloba
You should prune the plant after flowering to encourage bushy habit and more flowers.
Hard pruning can be carried out if needed.
Propagation
Possible from cuttings as well as from seed.