Helichrysum italicum subsp. serotinum - Growing Guide

Curry plant

The curry plant is a dense dwarf shrub with narrow sage-green leaves which have a very strong curry-like smell especially when touched or brushed.

This is one of the very vest silvery-grey leaved shrubs for the herbaceous border or, more properly perhaps, for the herb garden. It is used too as one of the key plants in any sensory garden designed for those with impaired eyesight.

Unlike many of the other species of Helichrysum the curry plant is perfectly hardy and not frost tender like H. petiolare which is commonly grown as trailing annual plant in hanging baskets or window boxes. H. italicum ssp. serotinum grows to around 15-18in with a spread of perhaps double this.

Its flowers are borne in corymbs 2-3in across from summer on to autumn and are a dark yellow with more of the curry smell to them as well. Clipping off the old flower heads will tidy up this small evergreen shrub and may well encourage it into further flowerings. A bit of a clip and tidy up in the spring is also a good idea for best results. We have found that more established plants may well need small supports if exposed to wind or rain to keep the clump upright.

Semi ripe cuttings in summer are straightforward to root under glass with bottom heat. 

• HELICHRYSUM italicum subsp. serotinum