Italian immortelle (curry herb)
Italian immortelle (curry herb): Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Curry plant, Helichrysum italicum, is a small aromatic subshrub in the daisy family, Asteraceae. Native to the Mediterranean basin, it belongs to landscapes of scrub, dry ground and sunny rocky places. Its common name comes from the characteristic scent of the foliage. This name expresses an impression of smell: botanically it remains a Mediterranean everlasting, with leaves and flowers that provide its main attractions in a garden.The plant forms a branching clump with a base that becomes woody. Its shoots carry numerous narrow, almost linear leaves in a soft silvery-grey colour. Their fineness gives the bush a light texture, quite different from the broad green leaves of many other herbs. The foliage is evergreen, although its appearance and density change according to conditions. An older plant may display more exposed wood at the base than a young specimen.The scent is particularly apparent when the leaves are crushed. It recalls spices…
