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 candollei (Jacobaeastrum candollei) – Escarpment True-Eye

Euryops candollei honours the botanist de Candolle and brings a touch of elegance to the genus through its well-proportioned habit and finely divided foliage. Plants typically form rounded shrubs with soft, feathery leaves that create an almost cloud-like mass of greenery. The bright yellow daisies are carried on slender stems above the foliage and appear in generous numbers, giving a luminous effect in full sun.

Like many of its relatives, Euryops candollei is native to sunny, stony habitats in South Africa, where it endures seasonal drought and poor, mineral soils. This background makes it a natural choice for low-water gardens, slopes, and large containers with excellent drainage. In cultivation the main flush of flowers usually appears during late winter and spring, but with light summer watering and deadheading, plants often reward you with additional blooms.

No widely established English common name exists for this species; it is marketed almost exclusively under its scientific name. Seedlings are robust and respond well to early pinching or light trimming, which encourages a denser, bushier shape. For South African and international gardeners alike, Euryops candollei offers a refined yet tough daisy shrub that holds its own as a specimen or blends beautifully into mixed drought-tolerant plantings.