Lemon Beauty Heads

Lemon Beauty Heads (Calocephalus citreus) is a native perennial with fine silver-green stems topped by oval flowerheads that open from cream to golden yellow between spring and autumn. It stays 20cm to 40cm tall and spreads 30cm to 90cm wide, a light, airy plant for rockeries, borders, pots and drifts.

Why you'll love it

• Silver stems, golden heads. The fine silvery stems make a soft backdrop for the golden yellow flowerheads, which suit native and cottage plantings alike.
• A long flowering season. Flowers open from spring through to autumn, so there is colour across three seasons.
• A butterfly plant. The golden flowerheads draw butterflies in through the long flowering season.
• Adaptable. It is found across Australia and grows in just about any soil or climate, from sand to clay and even salty ground.
• A relative of paper daisies. It is related to billy buttons and paper daisies, with the same light, wispy charm.

Where it works best

Rockeries and borders. The fine silver-green stems spread across rocks and take the hard edge off a bed.

Mass planting. Plant 50cm apart in drifts for a dense, flowing carpet of silver and gold. The wide spread knits plants together into a single mass.

Pots. A single plant in a pot suits a sunny spot, where it can flower freely.

Growing Lemon Beauty Heads in Australia

Position and climate. Plant in full sun to maximise flowering, though it tolerates part shade. Heat is fine as long as it gets regular water, and it occurs naturally across Australia, so it suits subtropical, temperate, Mediterranean and semi arid gardens.

Soil. Well drained soil is best, but it copes with sand, heavy clay and even salty ground.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well during establishment. Once it is growing, regular watering keeps it flowering through hot weather.

Pruning. The plant dies back after flowering. Tidy it by cutting the old stems back to make room for fresh growth.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Lemon Beauty Heads as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It is a light, wispy plant, so it looks best planted in groups. Plants travel upright and begin growing again within a couple of weeks in warm weather.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More Australian native plants
• Plants for rockeries
• Plants for mass planting
• Low-growing plant ideas for borders

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

About 50cm apart for a dense mass planting. It spreads 30cm to 90cm, so plants will knit together as they mature.

Does it need full sun?

Full sun gives the most flowers, but it tolerates part shade. Expect fewer blooms in shadier spots.

Why has it died back?

That is normal after flowering. Cut the old stems back to tidy the plant and let new growth come through.