Strawflower, Everlasting, Paper Daisy

Scientific Name: Bracteantha bracteata (Vent.) A.A.Anderberg
Synonym: Helichrysum bracteatum, Xeranthemum bracteatum, Xerochrysum bracteatum
Family: Asteraceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: All zones as annual
AHS: 12-2
USDA: 10-11 as perennial

Sun Exposure: Full sun, tolerates light shade

Origin: Australia, in open grassland and scrub

Growth Habits: Annual or perennial, up to 2-3 feet tall (60-90 cm) depending on variety

Flowers: White, yellow, light orange, pink or red flowers

Watering Needs: Regular water, do not allow the soil to become bone dry, or the plant will die. A moist soil is better, but it needs good drainage, established plants can take some drought

Propagation: Seeds, cuttings

Outback Paper Daisy

There are a number of Helichrysum occasionally available for landscape use, but the one that is the most common is the strawflower that is used as a cut flower both fresh and dried. Some cultivars are selected to be grown as annual, many of the more sophisticated ones are perennials and propagated by cuttings. They are perennial only in the warmer parts of the country, where the temperature doesn't go below 30°F ( -1°C)

Blooming Habits:
Stawflowers are free-flowering from spring to autumn. The 2 inches wide yellow flowers stay open on cloudy weather and can be dried easily to use in floral arrangements. They need to be dried head down, hanging by the stem in a shady dry area for a couple of weeks before being used.

Culture:
Plant strawflower seeds in place in late spring. Most cultivars available in nurseries have been propagated by cuttings. Feed with a fertilizer low in phosphorus.