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 versicolor – Eastern Gold Cudweed

If you’re after a quick, characterful coastal everlasting, Helichrysum versicolor is a charming annual with “scruffy” wildflower appeal – ideal for naturalistic sowings, dune-style gardens, and collectors who enjoy coastal endemics that don’t look overly manicured.

Plants are white-woolly and low, with many small heads packed into compact clusters. The bracts are bright yellow (often crisped and slightly radiating at the tips), giving a cheerful glow even when the plant is small. Flowering is mostly October to November but can run as late as February.

Endemic to South Africa, it’s a true coastal specialist, collected from seashore and dune scrub from Knysna east to Port Alfred and the Fish River mouth. For growers, that translates to a plant that appreciates sun, airflow, and sandy, fast-draining mixes – perfect for seasonal colour and for drying a few heads for everlasting décor.