Dymondia Margaretae
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Silver Carpet / Dymondia
Botanical Name: Dymondia margaretae
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: Coastal South Africa (winter-rainfall region)
Plant Type: Evergreen groundcover (very low, mat-forming)
Overview
A tough, sun-loving silver lawn alternative with tiny, spoon-shaped leaves (green above, silvery beneath) that knit into a tight, weed-suppressing carpet. Small yellow daisies appear in the warmer months. Perfect for Adelaide/South Australian conditions: thrives in full sun, lean sandy or calcareous soils, coastal breezes, and heat; ideal between pavers, verges, and low-wear “no-mow” patches.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 0.02–0.05 m H × 0.4–1.0 m W (spreads by stolons; very low)
- Growth Rate: 10-30 (spread) cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Tiny grey-green leaves with silver undersides; forms a dense, cushioned mat; edges often slightly rolled
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Flowers: Small yellow daisies mainly late spring–autumn (heaviest in summer)
- Seasonal Interest: Year-round silver/grey carpet; cheerful yellow daisies in warm seasons
- Wildlife Value: Nectar/pollen for small bees and beneficial insects
- Tolerance: Very drought-tolerant once established, heat- and wind-tolerant, second-line coastal OK; light frost hardy (protect from hard/black frosts in Hills); dislikes winter waterlogging
- Planting Density: Fast cover: 9–16 plants/m². Standard cover: 6–9 plants/m². Between pavers: 6–8 plants per linear metre of joints
- Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic to cats & dogs (ingestion of any plant may upset tummies)
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to light part shade (best density/silver in sun)
- Soil: Free-draining sands or sandy/loam; thrives on neutral–alkaline (calcareous) Adelaide soils; raise/mound on clay to avoid wet feet
- Water Needs: Establishment: keep evenly moist for 8–12 weeks (don’t saturate). Established: deep soak every 3–4 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves on sands); little to none in winter
- Maintenance: Hand-weed early while it knits; edge/clip to keep neat along paths; avoid heavy fertiliser (lean soils = tighter mat); divide/patch from runners if gaps appear
- Lifespan: 10–20+ years in suitable conditions
- Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA, especially coastal
- Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline (tolerates slightly acidic if very free-draining)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Silver “green grout” between stepping stones and crazy paving
- No-mow lawn alternative for low-wear courtyards/verges
- Coastal/Mediterranean gravel gardens with succulents and grasses
Why You Will Love It
A beautiful, ultra-low, silver carpet that loves Adelaide sun and lean soils, sips water, shrugs off heat and wind, and looks immaculate between pavers—minimal mowing, maximum neatness.