Brachyglottis (Dunedin Group) 'Sunshine'

About this cultivar:

Brachyglottis (Dunedin Group) ‘Sunshine’ is a well-loved recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit, and it’s easy to see why. With its luminous golden-yellow daisy-like flowers set against a backdrop of soft, silvery-grey foliage, it brings a striking contrast to any garden.

The flowers appear in generous clusters throughout summer, creating a cheerful display that brightens borders, gravel gardens, and coastal landscapes alike.

It  is particularly valued for its compact, mounding habit and its exceptional tolerance to drought, salt-laden winds, and poor soils. It thrives in well-drained ground and full sun, making it a prime candidate for coastal gardens, Mediterranean-style plantings, and low-maintenance borders.

Though often mistaken for a shrub, ‘Sunshine’ is more of a spreading subshrub, with its felted, silvery leaves providing year-round structure and interest. It retains its neat, tidy shape without much intervention, but a light trim after flowering keeps it looking its best. Whether you’re looking for an easy-going, resilient, feature plant, or a touch of brightness against darker foliage, ‘Sunshine’ certainly lives up to its name.

The Brachyglottis (Dunedin Group) refers to a group of cultivated hybrids derived primarily from New Zealand species such as Brachyglottis greyi and Brachyglottis laxifolia. These hybrids were developed in Dunedin, New Zealand, which gives the group its name. The selections within this group are prized for their silvery-grey, evergreen foliage and profuse yellow, daisy-like flowers.

• Position: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil: Dry soil, grows well in Ballyrobert
• Flowers: June, July
• Other features: Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (RHS AGM), Grows well in Ballyrobert, Drought Tolerant, Interesting Foliage or Fruit
• Hardiness: H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5°C), Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
• Habit: Mat forming, bushy
• Foliage: Evergreen
• Height: 100 - 150 cm (3.5 - 5 ft)
• Spread: 100 - 150 cm (3.5 - 5 ft)
• Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
• Plant type: Shrub
• Colour: Green, yellow, grey
• Goes well with: Try over a wall or in a seaside garden. As it is a Mediterranean plant why not try its relatives? Lavenders, Nepeta, Euphorbias and Origanums.

About this genus:

Brachyglottis is a genus of about 30 species of evergreen shrubs, small trees, and subshrubs in the Asteraceae (daisy) family, predominantly native to New Zealand.  The genus name is derived from the Greek words brachys (short) and glottis (tongue), likely referencing the shape of the flower structures. Many Brachyglottis species were formerly classified under Senecio, until they were redefined into their own genus.

The internet tells me the genus was first formally described by Darwins old pal Joseph Dalton Hooker in the 19th century in his 1853 book 'The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage'. The book documents the voyage of the ships Erebus and Terror from 1839–1843. Hooker was an Assistant-Surgeon on the expedition. Howver it appears the genus was also recorded earlier on November 29, 1775 by Johann Reinhold Forster and Georg Forster. Anyway....

The foliage is typically leathery, with a silvery-grey or green hue, often covered in a soft, downy layer that helps protect against coastal winds and intense sun. The leaves are usually simple, alternate, and often have wavy or slightly toothed margins. The flowers, like many in the daisy family, are bright yellow and appear in dense clusters, creating a striking contrast against the silver or green foliage. Flowering occurs mainly in summer, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The seed heads are fluffy and dispersed by the wind, much like dandelions.

Growing Brachyglottis is easy in well-drained soils and sunny locations. Many species, such as Brachyglottis greyi (commonly known as ‘Daisy Bush’), are popular in coastal gardens due to their salt tolerance and drought resistance. They can also thrive in poor soils and require little maintenance beyond occasional shaping if a compact form is desired.

It another one of those Genus that we shouldn't have in our wet heavy clay soil, but  we have found some selections that grow in our drier areas - try paths and pots.

In the garden, Brachyglottis is grown for its silvery, evergreen foliage, which adds texture and brightness to borders, rock gardens, and Mediterranean-style plantings. Some varieties are valued for their profuse summer flowers, while others have a more architectural presence due to their larger leaves. Whether used as a low hedge, a feature plant, or part of a mixed border, Brachyglottis brings structure, interest, and resilience to a wide range of garden styles. If you like the look of it, go for it!