Strawflowers, scientifically known as Helichrysum bracteatum, are cherished annuals celebrated for their distinct papery texture and vivid, enduring blooms. Their unique petal-like structures, which are actually modified leaves called bracts, dry exceptionally well, earning them the popular moniker “everlasting flowers” and making them a favored choice for dried arrangements. They also provide a consistent source of vibrant color in garden settings throughout the growing season.
General Characteristics of Strawflowers
Strawflowers are recognized by their stiff, papery bracts that form a daisy-like flower head. These vibrant blooms span a broad spectrum of colors, encompassing brilliant yellows, oranges, reds, and pinks, alongside pristine whites and intriguing bi-colors. Their prolific flowering habit ensures a continuous display of color from early summer well into the autumn months. Once established, these plants exhibit good drought tolerance. Their robust nature and ability to maintain their form and color after harvesting make them exceptionally well-suited for cutting and drying.
Popular Strawflower Varieties
The ‘Monstrosum’ series stands out for its large, classic blooms, often reaching 2 to 3 inches in diameter. These robust plants typically grow 30 to 36 inches tall, producing many flowers in a traditional color range including bright yellow, orange, and various shades of red and pink. Their substantial size makes them an excellent choice for cutting gardens and dried floral displays.
‘Brightest Spark’ offers a more compact growth habit, generally reaching 18 to 24 inches tall, with abundant, vibrant, medium-sized flowers. This series is known for its intense color saturation and a broad spectrum of hues, making it versatile for both garden beds and container plantings. Its manageable size suits smaller spaces.
The ‘Swiss Giants’ variety produces exceptionally large flower heads, often exceeding 2.5 inches across, on tall, sturdy stems reaching 36 to 40 inches tall. This variety is valued for its impressive bloom size and strong stems, which are ideal for large-scale fresh arrangements and drying. Its color palette includes traditional strawflower shades.
For a diverse and traditional aesthetic, the ‘Paper Daisy Mix’ offers a charming blend of flower sizes and a wide array of colors, from creamy whites to deep reds and oranges. Plants in this mix typically grow between 24 and 36 inches tall, providing a naturalistic look suited for informal garden borders and cottage gardens. The varied blooms within the mix offer continuous visual interest.
The ‘Tom Thumb’ series provides a dwarf alternative, growing only 10 to 12 inches tall, making it suitable for container gardening, window boxes, or the front of a garden border. These plants produce numerous small to medium-sized flowers in bright, cheerful colors. Their compact form ensures a dense display of blooms, adding concentrated color to confined spaces.
For those seeking a departure from typical bright hues, ‘Mahogany’ offers distinctive dark, rich red-brown blooms, providing striking contrast in arrangements. This variety typically grows 24 to 30 inches tall, with flowers around 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter. Its unique color makes it a sophisticated addition to dried floral designs, adding depth and earthy tones.
Choosing the Right Strawflower Variety
Selecting the appropriate strawflower variety involves considering its intended use and the specific conditions of your garden space.
Size and Use
For drying and large arrangements, taller varieties like ‘Monstrosum’ or ‘Swiss Giants’ with robust stems and sizable blooms are excellent choices. For container planting or the front of a garden bed, the more compact ‘Tom Thumb’ series offers a suitable alternative with its shorter stature.
Color Palette
Consider the desired color palette for your garden or arrangements; varieties like ‘Brightest Spark’ provide a vibrant mix, while ‘Mahogany’ offers a distinct, darker hue for a refined look.
Growing Space
The available growing space also influences the decision, as taller varieties require more vertical room, whereas dwarf types thrive in confined areas.
Growing and Using Strawflowers
Strawflowers thrive in full sun, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for abundant blooms and vibrant colors. They prefer well-draining soil, ideally a moderately fertile loam for robust growth. While young plants need consistent moisture, established strawflowers are drought tolerant, withstanding periods of dry weather.
Regular deadheading, removing spent flowers, encourages the plant to produce more blooms throughout the season, extending the display. For harvesting, cut strawflower stems when the lower two or three rows of bracts have opened, but before the central disc florets are fully visible. This ensures flowers retain shape and color once dried. To dry them, gather small bunches of stems, remove any lower leaves, and hang them upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated area for several weeks until dry and stiff. These blooms can then be used in everlasting arrangements, wreaths, or other craft projects.