Brachyglottis Otari Cloud is one of those shrubs which is enjoyed for its foliage as much as its flowers, the handsome grey leaves providing year-round appeal. In spring theres the added bonus of showy yellow flowers. Other attributes of this New Zealand native are a compact, bushy form, the ability to thrive in just about any sunny, well drained position and to take poor soils and windy conditions in its stride. The grey foliage is good for combining with all sorts of colours and textures.

For a classy, blue and silver Mediterranean style garden on a sunny site, mingle Otari Cloud with English lavenders, an olive tree, Astelia Silver Spear, Leucophyta Silver Nugget and Ceanothus Blue Cushion. In a garden where natives are to the fore, use it on the sunny side of a kowhai. In mild coastal gardens, combine it with one of the outstanding new pohutukawas such as Vibrance.