Strawflower Seeds, Golden everlasting

Strawflower Seeds, Golden everlasting (Xerochrysum bracteatum)

Price for Package of 50 seeds.

Strawflower Seeds, Golden everlasting (Xerochrysum bracteatum) are an excellent choice for gardeners who want colorful flowers with an exceptionally long lasting decorative quality. Commonly known as Strawflower, Golden everlasting, Everlasting or Paper Daisy, this remarkable flowering plant belongs to the Asteraceae family and is native to Australia. Its distinctive flower heads are surrounded by stiff, papery bracts that create the appearance of petals and retain their attractive form even after drying.

🌱 Plant Features

Winter hardiness: The supplied source describes Xerochrysum bracteatum as an annual or perennial depending on the form and growing conditions. Annual cultivars are commonly grown as seasonal garden flowers, while many Australian cultivars are perennial shrubs.

Height: Approximately 20 to 80 cm (8 to 32 inches), with some forms reaching around 1 metre (3 feet).

Flower colors: White, yellow, orange, bronze, pink and red, with mixed colors available in many cultivated forms.

Flower size: Approximately 3 to 7 cm (1.2 to 2.8 inches) across.

Flowering period: Spring through autumn, depending on climate and sowing time.

The plant develops erect, sturdy stems covered with fine hairs and lance shaped or elliptic foliage. The flower heads rise above the foliage and contain numerous tiny yellow florets surrounded by rows of firm, dry and papery bracts. These unusual bracts are responsible for the famous everlasting quality of the flowers.

🌿 Growing Conditions

Strawflowers are adaptable plants that can be grown in gardens, containers, window boxes and borders. They perform particularly well in bright locations and are suitable for areas without dense shade. The source indicates that Xerochrysum bracteatum grows naturally in a remarkably wide range of Australian habitats, from rainforest margins and fertile soils to deserts, disturbed ground and subalpine regions.

For cultivation, use fertile, well aerated soil with good drainage. A slightly acidic growing medium with a pH around 5.5 to 6.3 is suitable. Avoid poorly drained conditions. Plants are also sensitive to iron deficiency, which may cause yellowing of young leaves while the veins remain green.

🌱 Sowing Instructions

Strawflower seeds are easy to grow and normally require no special treatment. Fresh seed can germinate in approximately 3 to 20 days. Sow the seeds onto a prepared seed compost and cover only lightly. Keep the growing medium evenly moist while avoiding excessive water.

Seeds may be started in trays or pots before transplanting, or sown directly into a prepared garden position when suitable conditions have arrived. Provide bright light after emergence and gradually acclimatise young plants before moving them permanently outdoors.

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant carefully into their final growing position. Lower growing forms are particularly suitable for containers, window boxes and hanging baskets, while taller forms can provide excellent color in borders and cut flower beds.

🌸 Flowering and Garden Use

Xerochrysum bracteatum is especially valued for its brilliant flowers and unusual papery texture. The flower heads attract butterflies, native bees, hoverflies and other insects, making Strawflowers a useful addition to wildlife friendly gardens.

The plant has a long history in cultivation and has been developed into numerous cultivated forms with colors ranging from white and yellow to orange, bronze, pink and red. Taller forms are excellent as cut flowers, while compact varieties work well in containers and border plantings.

✂️ Support and Pruning

Remove faded flower heads regularly to encourage continued flowering and maintain an attractive appearance. Pruning old growth can also help perennial forms produce fresh growth. The source notes that pruning old growth during winter can encourage new growth in spring.

🌾 Dried Flowers

One of the greatest advantages of Strawflower is its suitability for dried flower arrangements. The papery bracts retain their shape and color for a remarkably long time after drying, making the flowers valuable for decorative arrangements and crafts. Commercial growers also use robust long stemmed forms for the cut flower industry.

🐝 Wildlife Value

The brightly colored bracts attract insects to the flower heads. Native bees, hoverflies, small beetles and butterflies may visit the flowers, while the plant also serves as a food source for the larvae of several moth and butterfly species.

🌿 Important Notes

Xerochrysum bracteatum is highly adaptable and can be grown successfully from seed or cuttings. Named cultivars are generally maintained true to type through cuttings, while plants grown from mixed seed may produce a range of colors and characteristics.

For the best performance, provide good air circulation, adequate light and well drained soil. Avoid excessive feeding, particularly high phosphorus levels, as the source indicates that Strawflowers perform best in soils with relatively low phosphorus levels. With suitable conditions, these distinctive flowers can provide months of color and an excellent supply of long lasting blooms for dried arrangements.

🔎 Related Keyphrases

Strawflower seeds, Golden everlasting seeds, Xerochrysum bracteatum seeds, Paper Daisy seeds, everlasting flower seeds, Australian strawflower, dried flower seeds, colorful flower seeds, cut flower seeds, annual flower seeds, perennial strawflower, garden flower seeds.