Paper Star Chamomile Sunray

Paper Star Chamomile Sunray (Rhodanthe anthemoides 'Paper Star') is a compact Australian native paper daisy that grows to about 25cm high and 40cm wide. Small, papery white flowers with gold centres sit over fine foliage on a rounded plant, a tidy garden form of a wildflower found wild in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. It suits rockeries, pots and sunny, well drained borders.

Why you'll love it

• A true Aussie wildflower. This compact form of a native paper daisy brings the look of the bush into a small garden.
• Papery white flowers. The small blooms have gold centres and a papery texture, and they show clearly against the fine foliage.
• Tidy and rounded. At 25cm by 40cm it stays neat in pots, window boxes and the front of a border.
• Loves warm, dry spots. It enjoys warm dry climates and chalky or sandy soil, where many flowering plants struggle.
• Easy to keep flowering. Deadheading old flowers encourages more blooms to follow.

Where it works best

Rockeries. Plant 40cm apart among rocks, where sharp drainage and warmth suit it. The rounded mounds sit well between stones.

Pots and window boxes. A sunny pot or window box shows off the compact habit. Use a gritty, free draining potting mix.

Wildlife gardens. Open daisy flowers give bees and other insects easy access, so it earns a place in a habitat planting.

Mixed flower borders. Use it at the front of a sunny border, where its white flowers link bolder plants behind.

Growing Paper Star Chamomile Sunray in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, in a warm, dry climate. It suits warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens. It dislikes excess humidity, so in humid coastal districts grow it in a pot or raised bed with sharp drainage. Very hot summers cause it to stop flowering until temperatures cool again.

Soil. Chalky or sandy, free draining soil is ideal. Heavy or wet ground leads to losses, so raise the bed or add grit if you have clay.

Water and feed. Mulch and water well in summer. Once established it copes with dry spells, but it should never sit in wet soil.

Pruning. Deadhead old flowers to encourage further flowering. A light trim after the main flush keeps the plant compact, and it will come through a light frost in free draining soil.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Paper Star Chamomile Sunray as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes are an economical way to fill a rockery or a row of pots. Expect a small, fine leaved plant that settles in fast in warm weather and bulks out into its rounded shape. Plant it in a sunny, free draining spot and water it in.

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
• Rockery plants for sunny gardens
• Designing a native garden to attract wildlife
• Native bee plants

Common questions

Does it cope with humidity?

Not well. It dislikes excess humidity and prefers warm, dry climates. In humid districts, grow it in a pot or raised bed with sharp drainage and plenty of sun.

Why did it stop flowering in summer?

Very hot summers cause the plant to stop flowering until temperatures cool again. This is normal, so mulch it, water it well and wait for flowering to resume.

Will it survive frost?

It comes through a light frost in free draining soil. Heavy frost is harder on it, so give it a sheltered, sunny spot in cold districts.