Lily's Garden Store

Strawflower Tall Double, Mixed Colours (25 seeds)

$2.99 ~~$3.99~~

Shipping calculated at checkout.

Annual. The popular everlasting flower - these are fun and easy to grow! A stunning mix of red, pink, salmon, lemon, white, and lilac! Use for fresh-cut or dried flowers. Great for floral craft projects.

Tall, well-branched plants. Double blooms are 2–2 1/2" across. Also known as bracted strawflower, Helichrysum, Everlasting and Immortelle. Ht. 36–40"

Approximately 25 seeds per packet.

***

Trivia: The original strawflower comes from Australia, where it still grows wild as a native species. The first botanical records of the strawflower date back to 1803, with the publication of a work called Jardin de Malmaison.

This book, a catalog of the species grown at the Chateau de Malmaison, was completed by French botanist Etienne Pierre Ventenat at the request of Napoleon's wife Josephine, who had an avid interest in rare plants. Hybrid forms of this flower first became popular in mid 19th century Europe as a result of the horticultural research of expert botanist Herren Ebritsch.

---

DAYS TO GERMINATION: 7-10 days at 70-75°F (21-24°C)

SOWING: Transplant (recommended) - Sow into 72-cell flats, or preferred seedling container, 4-6 weeks before last frost. Do not cover seed as light is required for germination. Harden off and transplant out after danger of frost has passed. Bottom water or mist to avoid covering seeds. Direct seed - After last frost, only where summers are long. Once established, prefers well-drained soils and temps of 70-75°F (21-24°C). Plants may need support.

LIGHT PREFERENCE: Sun

PLANT HEIGHT: 36-40". May require some support.

PLANT SPACING: 9-12"

DAYS TO MATURITY: 75-85 days

HARDINESS ZONES: Annual

STEM LENGTH: 12-20"

VASE LIFE: 7-10 days

STORAGE TEMPERATURE: 70-75°F (21-24°C).

HARVEST: Keep blooms harvested or deadheaded for optimal yields. Fresh or dried: Cut when 2-3 layers of petals have unfolded but before flowers fully open to reveal center. Note: Blooms that are very open, past optimal maturity will close in the dark of night and on dark, overcast days. These blooms can appear as if they are at the at a good stage for cutting, though they are overmature. To avoid these misleading blooms, harvest on bright mornings or let your harvested blooms set in light for a few hours. Overmature blooms should open back up for identification and discard. Avoiding overmature blooms is especially important if being used for drying as blooms continue to open during the drying process. When dried, overmature blooms will shatter (fall apart) and appear discolored.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Average soil with good drainage.

USES: Excellent dried flower. Borders and back of beds.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bracteantha bracteata