Cape Peninsula of South Africa
A decorative fine textured grey-leafed plant from the Cape Peninsula of South Africa that spreads and sprawls, forming a dense low growing shrub to 4 feet wide and 2 to 3 feet tall – can get taller in a confined space and when trimmed to maintain a narrower plant. The flowers are not overly showy but appear from summer into fall and are composed of small yarrow-like composite flowers with cream colored rays and pink disc flowers. It is rated to Sunset Zone 8, so treat as an annual, although many will see it recover for the next year.
This plant was first introduced in California in the late 1980's as Helichrysum petiolatum microphyllum or 'Nana' and though not declared a weed in California, this plant has been noted as an escaped garden plant in Portugal and salt marshes and sloughs in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
Widely cultivated in California, P. serpyllifolia was first introduced in the late 1980s as “Helichrysum petiolatum microphyllum” or “Nana” (San Marcos Growers 2009). However, it is best known in the horticultural industry as “Helichrysum petiolare petite” or “Petite Licorice.” Other common names include Straw Flower or Trailing
Licorice.
