Helichrysum italicum

Description

Helichrysum italicum, commonly known as the curry plant, is a small, bushy evergreen sub-shrub with narrow, silvery-grey leaves that emit a distinct curry-like fragrance when touched. It typically grows to a height of 0.5 meters, forming a compact, rounded habit that adds texture and contrast to gardens. In summer, it produces small, bright yellow flowerheads in dense, domed clusters, which retain their colour when dried, making them popular for floral arrangements. Despite its name, the curry plant is not used in traditional curry dishes, but its aromatic foliage is sometimes used to flavour Mediterranean cuisine. Thriving in well-drained, poor, sandy soils, it prefers a sunny, sheltered position and is highly drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for coastal gardens, rockeries, and Mediterranean-style landscapes