Strawflower  Bright Rose
Helichrysum bracteatum (m.)
 
This seed is packed for the 2025 growing season. If stored in a cool, dry place, seeds can keep for 2 to 3 years.
 
A versatile and textural addition to the cutting garden, strawflower can be used fresh and also dried for use in fall bouquets and wreaths. Flowers the color of pomegranate are striking in both the garden and the vase. Such a versatile color could mix with blush or jewel tones. Also known as everlasting flowers, the color and shape of these papery blooms will last indefinitely when dried. Pollinators love them.
 
Details:
Plant life cycle: annual
Site: full sun
Height: 36”
Days to maturity: 80-90 days
Seed depth: 1/8"
Plant spacing: 9”
Approx seeds per packet: 100
 
 
Tall Florist Type Strawflowers.Stunning scarlet double flowers. Radiant rose-colored flowers. Bright Rose strawflowers produce loads of vibrant 2-3 in. papery pompom-like flowers on well-branched, heavy-blooming 3-3½ ft. tall, heat and drought tolerant plants.Strawflowers attract butterflies and are superb cut flowers. Known as 'everlastings' because the flowers will last indefinitely when dried. Bright Rose strawflower remains in bloom over a long season
 
Details: 
Life Cycle: Annual
Site: Full sun
Height: 36-42”
Avg Germinate : 7-10 Days
Days to maturity: 80-90 days 
Seed Depth: Surface, press into the soil
Plant spacing: 9-12”
Approx seeds per packet :50
 
How to Grow:
 
Sowing Direct:  
Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth. Add a complete fertiliser or mix in plenty of compost prior to planting. If sowing more than one annual in the same bed, mark the sowing areas with a ring of sand and label. 
Sow seeds finely onto the surface of the soil as the plants need ample room to grow. Press the seeds in lightly with your hand and water using a fine spray attachment. Keep soil moist during germination.
 
Cultivation:
During the spring and summer months, fertilize the plants monthly with a balanced organic fertiliser diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. Water plants well and allow to dry before watering again but do not allow the soil to become bone dry, or the plant will die. Remove spent flowers to encourage further blooming. In the autumn collect seed and discard the plants.
 
Harvest:
When cut young and dried, the open flowers and stalks preserve both colour and shape indefinitely. Harvest when the flowers are only partially open, (when 2 to 3 layers of petals have opened), they continue to open as they dry. Immediately, hang the flowers by the stem upside down in small bunches, in a dry, dark, open, airy place (the colour tends to fade if they are dried in the light).
 
Vase Life:
Will last 7 to 14 days