Exuding a strong camphor-like fragrance, the Camphor Bush is arguably the toughest shrub to plant in the teeth of a famous Cape wind; coping with the drying salt air, frost and drought, it is a plant for extreme conditions. It has all the attributes needed to provide a shelterbelt – ground-level, dense foliage, multi-stemmed and is easy to prune. The fast-growing Camphor Bush is better suited to tall, loosely formed screens; otherwise trimming will be too frequent. Grey leaves are an attractive and subtle backdrop to the striking colours of the celebrities of the Fynbos Kingdom. Fluffy white seed heads form dense heads from March to November and are used by birds to line nests. Prune lightly after flowering ends. Note that the Camphor Bush is dioecious, so male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. Frost: hardy Flower: creamy-white March to November Water needs: low water wise Size: 2 – 9 m Garden conditions: screen; shrubbery; sun; sandy soils; salt air; cec; cwc; sun; semi-shade Habitat: grassland; hot dry; woodland forest; Region: Karoo; desert; bushveld savanna; Highveld; wc