Euryops is the quintessential “fynbos daisy” – a genus of sun-loving shrubs and subshrubs that light up rocky hillsides and grasslands across southern Africa with masses of golden flowers. Belonging to the daisy family (Asteraceae), Euryops species are generally evergreen, drought-tolerant and long-lived, forming neat hummocks or woody mounds covered in fine, often aromatic foliage. When in bloom they can be almost completely smothered in bright yellow daisies, creating a haze of colour that draws in bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

In nature, many species grow in tough, exposed places – sandstone ridges, shale bands, gravel plains, mountain slopes and coastal scrub – where poor soils, wind and seasonal drought are the norm. These harsh origins make them exceptionally well suited to water-wise, low-maintenance gardens around South Africa and in dry-summer or Mediterranean-type climates worldwide. With their intricate foliage and generous flowering, they bridge the gap between ornamental shrubs and hardy steppe or rock-garden plants.

For gardeners and collectors, the genus offers remarkable diversity: from tiny, moss-like cushions to upright, architecturally branched shrubs; from fine, erica-like leaves to bold ferny foliage; from tight button heads to broad-rayed daisies. Grown from seed, Euryops is fast to establish, rewarding the patient grower with plants that are both resilient and spectacular, whether they’re anchoring a fynbos bed in the Cape, brightening a dry border in Gauteng, or bringing a taste of the South African veld to gardens overseas.

Euryops abrotanifolius (Euryops abrotanifolius brachypus, Euryops abrotanifolius crassilobus, Euryops abrotanifolius glabratus) – Mountain True-Eye; Bergharpuis, Geelmargriet, Margriet

Euryops abrotanifolius takes its name from its finely divided “southernwood-like” foliage, forming a compact, evergreen shrublet with airy, feathery leaves. New growth flushes bright green, creating a soft texture that contrasts beautifully with bolder fynbos companions or rocks in a dry garden. Golden yellow daisies rise just above the foliage on slender stems, giving the plant a delicate, floating look when in bloom.

This is a South African species from dry, open slopes and rocky ground, which means it is happiest in full sun and sharply drained, sandy or gravelly soil. Flowering in cultivation is typically strongest from late winter into spring, with sporadic blooms whenever moisture is available and temperatures are mild. The combination of fine foliage and cheerful daisies makes it as suitable for a naturalistic fynbos planting as for a more formal mixed perennial border.

In South Africa and abroad it is usually traded simply under the botanical name; no widely used English common name has become established. Plants grown from seed are quick to reach flowering size if given bright light, moderate feeding and careful watering. Once settled, Euryops abrotanifolius becomes a tough, drought-tolerant shrub, ideal for low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly gardens and for collectors building a specialised Euryops or fynbos collection.