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 pinnatipartitus (Gamolepis pectinata, Gamolepis pinnatipartita, Osteospermum pinnatipartitum) – Bergkamelle, Bergkamille

Euryops pinnatipartitus showcases deeply pinnately divided foliage, with each leaf cut into fine segments that create a soft, fern-like texture. The bush forms a rounded, leafy mound that looks lush even in dry conditions. In season it erupts into flower, with numerous yellow daisies carried on slender stems just above the foliage, turning the entire plant into a bright bouquet.

In nature this species occupies sunny, well-drained slopes and veld, where its dissected leaves resist drought and maximise light capture. In the garden it thrives in full sun and gritty soils and makes an excellent filler for mixed fynbos beds and dry borders. Flowering usually peaks in late winter and spring, and regular deadheading can prolong the show.

There are no widely used English common names recorded for Euryops pinnatipartitus, so it is typically traded under its botanical name. From seed it is vigorous and quick to reach a useful size, and light pruning after flowering keeps plants dense and floriferous. For gardeners worldwide who value finely textured, water-wise shrubs, this species is an excellent addition.