Helichrysum italicum
| Helichrysum italicum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Helichrysum italicum (common name: curry plant)
Propagation: Seed - sow February/March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5cm with a heel, June/July in a frame. Roots in 4 weeks. Good percentage[1].
Cultivation: Requires a light well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered position[2][3]. Intolerant of excessive moisture[2]. Established plants are drought resistant[4]. Plants have proved to be fairly wind tolerant in an exposed site in Cornwall[K].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c[3].
Plants can be pruned back to the old wood in spring in order to maintain the shape of the plant and promote lots of new growth[5].
The whole plant smells of curry, especially after rain[5].
The flowering stems are often dried and used as 'everlasting flowers'[5].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[6].
Range: S. Europe.
Habitat: Arid hills, rocks and cliffs[4]
Edibility: Leaves - used as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods[7][5][8]. They have a slight flavour of curry, though they do not impart this very well to other foods[K].
An essential oil (from the leaves?) is used as a flavouring to enhance fruit flavours in sweets, ice cream, baked goods, soft drinks and chewing gum[7].
A tea is made from the flower heads[7].
Usage: Plants can be grown as a low hedge, the subspecies H. italicum serotinum(Boiss.)P.Fourn. is normally used[9]. It responds well to trimming.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: H. angustifolium. (Lam.)DC.
Links
References
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ Shepherd, F. W.. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society, 1974.