Practical
Plants

Helichrysum italicum

Curry Plant

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Helichrysum genus in the family Compositae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.6 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - used as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods[2][6][7]. 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[2]. A tea is made from the flower heads[2].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be grown as a low hedge, the subspecies H. italicum serotinum(Boiss.)P.Fourn. is normally used[8]. It responds well to trimming.

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
S. Europe.
Habitat
Arid hills, rocks and cliffs[3]
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, drought
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[9].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a light well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered position[1][4]. Intolerant of excessive moisture[1]. Established plants are drought resistant[3]. 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[4]. 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[6]. The whole plant smells of curry, especially after rain[6]. The flowering stems are often dried and used as 'everlasting flowers'[6]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  5. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  6. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

  8. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

  9. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

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