Common Names
Strawflower, Straw Flower, Everlasting, Everlasting Flower

Botanical Name
Helichrysum bracteatum (syn Xerochrysum bracteatum)

Plant Family
Asteraceae (Daisy Family)

Native Range
Australia

Life Cycle
Perennial, often grown as an annual

Hardiness Zone
Perennial in zones 8-11, Annual in zones 2-11

Habit
3-3.5 ft tall. Flowers are made up of stiff papery bracts. This variety is a satisfying deep pink colour.

Sun/Soil
Full sun to part shade; well-drained soil.

Germination/Sowing
Seeds germinate best when started in flats in the spring and then transplanted out once soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed. 

Growing/Care
Deadhead plants for continuous blooms from early summer through fall time. 

Harvesting
The aerial parts are harvested during the blooming period.

Culinary Uses
N/A

Medicinal Uses
Usefully medicinally as an anti-allergenic. The oil is used to heal skin complaints.

Other Uses
One of the older garden flowers, in cultivation since the early 1700’s in Britain. Strawflowers make wonderful cut-flowers. They are very long lasting in fresh bouquets, and are used in ‘everlasting’ dried flower arrangements.

Strawflowers are attractive to a wide variety of pollinators, including butterflies and moths.

Themes
Apothecary Garden, Low Maintenance, Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Attracts Pollinators, Container Garden, Cut Flowers.