About 300 species of shrubs, perennials and annuals from the temperate zone. South Africa and South America. They have small, often finely dissected grey or silvery leaves in opposite pairs and racemes, panicles or corymbs of tiny, groundsel-like flower heads in late summer or autumn.
Some of the small mat or hummock-forming species, e.g. AA. glacialis, pedemontana and schmidtiana, are splendid foliage plants for the rock garden or raised bed. The larger rhizomatous or shrubby species however, should be treated with caution and are best avoided. Ordinary well drained soil and a sunny site are all that is required. Propagation by seed in spring, cuttings in late summer, or where possible, division in early spring.
a, A. chamamelifolia; b, A. glacialis; c, A. norvegica; d, A. stelleriana;