(700 seeds) Helichrysum Bracteatum rose / Straw Flower / Bracteantha bracteata / Xerochrysum bracteatum

Description

Approximately 600-800 seeds in 1g packet. Helichrysum bracteatum, or Strawflower, is a stout perennial native to Australia. In cooler climate grow it as a summer annual. The 70-90 cm tall plants have 12-14 cm long oblong-lanceolate leaves. Flowers of this species are great as cut flowers and when they are dried, the papery flowers will last indefinitely. For drying cut only half-open flowers in dry weather. Hang stems head downwards in a cool, dark, airy place fro drying. The plants are easy to culture and make excellent container plants. Helichrysum bracteatum do best in full sun with a well drained soil mix. In the greenhouse, we use a soil mix consisting of 1 part peat moss to 2 parts loam and sand. Plants are well watered and allowed to dry before watering again. During the spring and summer months, we fertilize the plants monthly with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. In the fall, we collect seed and discard the plants. This is much easier than trying to overwinter them. When growing in the landscape, they tend to reseed themselves. In late winter, the plants are restarted for the next spring and summer. Information source: www.plantoftheweek.org