Ideal height: 1.5-2m/4-6ft
Growth rate: 30-60cm/2-3ft in good conditions
Position & planting: plant 40-60cm/1-2ft apart; tolerates dry, sandy soils in a sunny position
Perfect for… smaller, exposed coastal gardens
Olearia traversii Compacta is a useful, compact form of this popular hedging plant. Retaining all of the benefits of the original Olearia traversii – a tough, quick growing, upright evergreen shrub, and ideal as a hedging plant when used in multiples. It displays glossy green leaves, which are silvery-white on the undersides, creating a lovely two-tone effect. Inconspicuous daisy-like flowers bloom on panicles in early summer.
It particularly makes a great coastal hedge, due to its tolerance of salt winds and dry, sandy soils.
Olearia traversii Compacta doesn’t grow as tall as the standard, reaching up to around 1.5-2m tall, but forms a lovely dense, bushy hedge – and can of course be pruned to a smaller size if desired. A great one for smaller gardens.
Plant around 40-60cm / 18inches-2ft apart from one another or further if you don’t mind waiting a bit longer for a solid hedge to form. A hardy, coastal variety that enjoys full sun where possible, and a free draining soil. Pruning back at planting will help encourage strong root growth.