There’s a reason Helichrysum has earned names like “everlasting,” “strawflower,” and “golden immortelle.” Across Africa, Eurasia, Madagascar, and even parts of Australia, this remarkable genus has adapted into an astonishing range of forms – from compact alpine cushions on windswept peaks to sprawling coastal pioneers on dunes, and tall, aromatic shrubs rising through savanna grassland. Many species seem almost sculpted for harshness: felted leaves that reflect heat, resinous scent glands that reduce water loss, and papery bracts that hold their colour long after flowering.

In southern Africa especially, Helichrysum becomes a signature of wild landscapes. Some species carpet high Drakensberg slopes like silver mats; others form tidy, upright tufts in montane grassland; and some are so specialised that they cling to cliff faces or root into shallow pockets of stony soil. The flowers, often arranged in tight button-clusters or open daisy-like heads, glow in tones of yellow, cream, white, pink, copper, red, and rose – and in many species the “petals” are actually brilliantly coloured bracts that preserve their beauty even when dried.

Beyond their ornamental appeal, Helichrysum carries deep cultural importance. Many species are traditionally used for fragrance, medicinal preparations, ceremonial burning, and as protective plants. For modern growers, they offer the irresistible combination of wild provenance, drought resilience, and striking textures – a true collector’s genus, equally suited to naturalistic gardens, rockeries, alpine troughs and habitat restoration planting.

Helichrysum griseum (Helichrysum agrostophilum) – Grizzly Everlasting

If you want a Helichrysum with unusual colour tones, Helichrysum griseum brings a softer, more nuanced look than the typical yellows. It’s especially attractive for collectors because its flowerheads can show deep pink to pale pink or buff bracts, offering a rare pastel spectrum in a genus often dominated by golds and whites.

Endemic to South Africa, this is a perennial herb with a stout woody rootstock and tall flowering stems, carrying a corymb of many small heads. The bracts are described as glossy and bright deep or pale pink or buff, and flowering is usually late winter into spring (August to October) – perfect timing for extending seasonal interest in grassland-style plantings.

It grows naturally in grassland up to about 1,200 m, from parts of KwaZulu-Natal south to East London (Eastern Cape). It can be prolific after fire in the wild, hinting at strong post-disturbance regeneration – useful context for growers aiming to mimic natural cues (excellent light, open conditions, and well-drained soils).