Strawflower, Xerochrysum bracteatum, is an annual in the Gnaphalieae group, which is in the huge Asteraceae, or Compositae family.
It is related to thousands of other plants, including the aster, daisy, and sunflower.
You may also find this flower classified under the names Helichrysum bracteatum and Bracteantha bracteate, and referred to as paper daisy, golden everlasting, everlasting flower, and everlasting daisy.
We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Read on to discover how easy it is to grow strawflower in your garden, enjoy cheerful blooms from summer to frost, and have a steady supply of long-lasting flowers for fresh and dry floral arrangements.
Cultivation and HistoryOn average, strawflowers are between two and three feet tall. There are smaller dwarf varieties of about 15 inches, and giants over three feet. The taller the plant, the sturdier the stems.
The blossoms have crisp, petal-like bracts that are usually referred to as petals. In fact, they are dry, dead tissue. The true flowers are the tiny florets that make up a dense, center disc, that may match or contrast with the bracts.
The entire flower head may be as small as one inch, or as large as three inches, with a single or double set of “petals.”
Strawflower is a continuous bloomer. Deadheading and flower harvesting throughout the growing season prevent seed formation and prolong flowering.
Native to the grasslands of Australia, the strawflower made its way to Europe in the 1800s, where the nobility prized it for having anti-inflammatory properties when brewed into tea.
Today’s cultivars come in shades of orange, pink, purple,
Read more on gardenerspath.com