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 obtusum (Helichrysum obtusum microphyllum, Helichrysum obtusum namibense, Helichrysum dinteri, Helichrysum dinteri obtusum)

A desert cushion with real character, Helichrysum obtusum forms intricate, low mounds that look like they’ve been sculpted by wind – perfect for collectors, xeric gardens, and pot culture where you want a plant to look ancient and alpine at the same time. It’s an exceptional seed-grown candidate for those who enjoy slow, compact shrubs with high texture.

It grows as a dense cushion shrublet, with small leaves and a thick white woolly-felted covering that protects it from harsh sun and drying winds. The heads are small and tucked among branchlets, with bracts that range from golden-brown to buff or whitish, often showing red-purple tones – subtle, earthy colour that suits desert palettes and dried arrangements alike.

Naturally it occurs on desert hills in sand or gravel among rocks (sometimes limestone), recorded mainly from southern Namibia down towards the Orange River and into Namaqualand and adjacent arid areas of South Africa. Flowering can be noted in any month but peaks around September, and in cultivation it strongly prefers maximum sun and extremely free-draining, mineral soils.