Brachyglottis

( brack - KIK - lot - iss )

At-A-Glance Information

This shrub is referred to as Brachyglottis greyii and Senecio greyii. In fact, it is so often called Senecio greyii that it has almost become its common name. This is an evergreen shrub that requires full sun and moderate to regular water. Cuttings from this plant provide great greenery for arrangements, and last a long time in water. ​It is considered a 'classic' in most gardens, growing to about 4-5 feet tall and 6 or more feet wide. Stems are stiff and slightly curved. Leaves are leathery, grey-green and outlined in silver-white. Come summertime, yellow daisies appear in clusters. Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape, as some species have toxic plant parts.

Brachyglottis species and Varietals

The genus Brachyglottis is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes 39 species. Many species previously included in the genus are now included in Senecio. ​Brachyglottis Dunedin Group 'Sunshine' grows best in zones 5-9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Brachyglottis arborescens (Three Kings Rangiora)
This species is endemic to New Zealand, where it only grows on the Three Kings Islands (hence the common name). These small trees or shrubs can reach up to 26 feet tall and produces small white flowers in clusters. Bark is thick, corky and ridged.

Brachyglottis bidwillii
Endemic to New Zealand, these shrubs reach up to just over three feet tall when mature, and produce leathery, oval green leaves that are shiny above and woolly below. Flowers are bell-shaped.

Brachyglottis elaeagnifolia 
This species of flowering shrub is endemic to New Zealand, mainly on its north island. It reaches about 10 feet tall at maturity. Upper leaf surfaces are green and glossy, and undersides are silvery-white and hairy. Flowers are wooly and white.

Brachyglottis greyi (Daisy Bush)
This species is endemic to New Zealand, and is a very commonly cultivated garden ornamental around the world. They are ideal for warm and maritime climates, and are tolerant of hot sun, poor soils, wind, and coastal spray. The species forms a mound up to 5 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Varieties include 'Sunshine', and 'Moira Read' (with variegated foliage).

Brachyglottis huntii (Rautini, Chatham Island Christmas Tree)
Native to New Zealand's Chatham Islands, this species forms a shrub or small tree that reaches up to 26 feet tall at maturity. Bark is grey and flaking, and foliage is green. Flowers are bright yellow, and produce seeds in fall. Contains toxic alkaloids; do not consume.

Brachyglottis repanda (Rangiora, Bushman's Friend, Kouaha, Pukapuka, Wharangi, Raurakau)
This species either forms a small, bushy tree or a tall shrub, and is endemic to New Zealand. They can reach about 20 feet tall and produce pale green leaves with white undersides, and white flowers from August through October in the plant's native range.

Brachyglottis sciadophila (Climbing Groundsel)
These plants are scramblers or climbers, usually found growing over other plants or in mats on the ground. It is the only climbing member of the Asteraceae plant family, and is endemic to New Zealand. It produces woody stems, small green leaves, and yellow flowers.

Caring for and pruning Brachyglottis shrubs

Senecio greyii needs full sun and moderate to regular water to perform well. They prefer to be planted in well-draining, rich soil that is neutral or slightly alkaline and will need yearly prunings to cut out older growth that can get a bit leggy. Otherwise, they are relatively easy-care plants. During their active growing and flowering periods, these shrubs benefit from a feeding every 20-30 days with a water-soluble balanced fertilizer.

Propagation

The best way to propagate Senecio greyii is via semi-hardwood cuttings in summertime. To propagate your plant, follow these instructions:
  1. Gather your materials. You will need clean, sharp garden shears, rooting hormone powder, a pencil, organic potting soil, a 7-8 inch pot, several 3-gallon pots.
  2. In spring or fall, take a few cuttings from your parent plant at are about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long using clean, sharp garden shears. You can take just one, though to increase your chances of success, it is best to take more than one. Make sure you are taking your cuttings from the ends of new growth rather than older growth, as they will root more successfully.
  3. Prepare your pot by filling it with soil and watering it, ensuring that drainage is taking place.
  4. Submerge your cutting completely in a tub of water, then take it out and remove (pinch-off) all of the leaves below the top 2 centimeters (3/4 inches). Dip the bottom of your cutting in rooting hormone powder.
  5. Poke a hole in the soil with your pencil for each cutting you have taken from the parent plant. Ensure that they are spaced at least two inches apart. Then, insert your cuttings into each hole and fill in around the bases (do not pack down). 
  6. Place your container in a place in your home that receives bright indirect light. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, while the cutting is taking root.
  7. After three months have passed, your cuttings that have rooted should be showing some new growth. If you have trouble identifying new growth, take progress pictures once a week from the two-month mark, and look for differences. Move your cuttings with new growth into individual 3 gallon pots and feed with a half strength 14-0-14 fertilizer. In about six months, your plant should be ready to be transplanted.
  8. Once in your yard, ensure that your young Adenanthos gets weekly waterings, and enjoy watching it grow.

Problems and Pests

These plants are generally pest-free. For more information on pests and plant issues, see the links below.
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Gallery

Brachyglottis is especially striking when grown beside purple foliaged plants such as Redleaf Japanese Barberry or Smoke Tree (Cotinus). 
These are attractive shrubs in and out of bloom.
These shrubs produce yellow, daisy-like flowers in summer and fall.

Videos

How to grow and propagate Brachyglottis plants.
What Senecio greyi looks like growing along a roadway.
Care and growing information for Senecio greyi.
A great overview of Senecio greyi.

Resources

Wikipedia: Brachyglottis greyi
Senecio - Care and Cultivation
Plant Lust: Brachyglottis 'Sunshine'
Brachyglottis (Dunedin Group) 'Sunshine'
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 203, Brachyglottis Dunedin Group 'Sunshine'
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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