shrub

Snowy Daisy-Bush

The Story

Plant Bio

Olearia lirata, the snowy daisy-bush, is an open, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub native to the moist forests and creek lines of southeastern Australia. The soft branchlets are covered in dense, greyish-white star-shaped hairs, bearing lance-shaped leaves with deeply impressed veins and pale, felted undersides.

From winter through early summer, the shrub produces loose terminal clusters of daisy-like flower heads up to an inch across. Each head features ten to sixteen white ray florets surrounding a central disc of cream to yellow florets.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces a dense display of white daisy-like flowers against dark green foliage with silver-white undersides.

Serves as an effective understory screen or windbreak in damp, shaded garden positions.

Provides nectar for beneficial insects and pollinators during its long blooming period.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

120"

Width

96"

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

10-20 years

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Winter – Early summer

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a sheltered site in partial to full shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and plant at the same depth as the nursery container.
Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system.
Apply a light layer of organic mulch to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool.

Pro Tip

Prune lightly immediately after flowering to maintain a dense, compact form; cutting back into old, leafless wood prevents the stems from reshooting.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water regularly during dry spells to prevent the soil from drying out completely.
Provide a sheltered position protected from strong, drying winds.
Prune the tips annually after flowering to encourage bushy growth.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, poorly drained clay soils where water pools.
Do not cut back hard into old, bare wood as it will not regenerate.
Do not apply heavy doses of high-phosphorus fertilizers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Shade GardenUnderstory PlantingWoodland GardenWindbreak

Companion Plants

Sarcococca hookeriana Pieris japonica

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Snowy Daisy-Bush questions

What zones can Snowy Daisy-Bush grow in?

Snowy Daisy-Bush is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Snowy Daisy-Bush bloom?

Snowy Daisy-Bush typically blooms in winter through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Snowy Daisy-Bush need full sun?

Snowy Daisy-Bush does best in part shade.