Olearia cheesemanii is probably the most floriferous New Zealand Olearia species and is found along lowland streamsides. It is an erect, evergreen, bushy shrub, growing up to 3.5 m tall. The spear-shaped, dark green leaves are 5–8.5 cm long. It has large panicles of daisy like white flowers with a yellow centre and 10-11 long ray florets. Flowers in spring.