Plants for Dried Arrangements: Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum aka Helichrysum bracteatum) Also called golden everlasting, this short-lived tender perennial or annual is native to Australia where it grows in grasslands. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisies, yarrow and lettuce. Growing up to 5' tall, strawflower has gray green lanceolate leaves up to 5" long and daisy-like flowerheads 1-3" across consisting of yellow disc flowers surrounded by petal-like papery bracts that resemble petals. The bracts of the species are white tinged with pink but cultivars are available that are deep red, pink, terracotta, orange, and pale yellow. Other cultivars vary in height and bract count. PREPARATION: Cut flowerheads when the outer two rows of petals are out and the disc flowers are tightly closed. Sometimes flowerhead with sopening disc flowers are attractive after drying while other times they are not. Leave about 6" of stem, bunch together and hand upside down in in a warm, dark, dry place with good air circulation. Alternatively, pick off the heads and wire them immediately, picking them into foam and letting them dry in a warm, dry, dark place with good air circulation. Flowerheads without stalks can also be dried in an electric oven on the lowest temperature for 30 minutes or so (check every 10 minutes). They can also be dried one or two at a time on a paper towel in a microwave at maximum power for 2 minutes.Flowerheads dried this way are useful for gluing or in pot pourri. Any unattractive dried flowerheads can also be used in pot pourri to add color. CULTIVATION Plant seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost and transplant outdoors 12-15" apart after the last frost date. Alternatively, buy seedlings and plant outdoors as above. Plants like full sun and average, medium moist to dry, well-drained soil. Dwarf plants can be planted in containers. Plants may self-seed but cultivars may not come true from seed. Plant Profile: Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum aka Helichrysum bracteatum) Also called golden everlasting, this short-lived tender perennial or annual is native to Australia where it grows in grasslands. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisies, yarrow and lettuce. Growing up to 5' tall, strawflower has gray green lanceolate leaves up to 5" long and daisy-like flowerheads 1-3" across consisting of yellow disc flowers surrounded by petal-like papery bracts that resemble petals. The bracts of the species are white tinged with pink but cultivars are available that are deep red, pink, terracotta, orange, and pale yellow. Other cultivars vary in height and bract count.The flowers a good in the vase both fresh and dried. The genus name, Xerochrysanum, comes from the Greek words xeros meaning dry and khrusos meaning golden, referring to the major characteristics of the flowerheads. The specific epithet, bracteatum, is the New Latin word meaning having bracts and refers to the petal like structures of the flowerheads. Type: Tender perennial or annual Bloom: Daisy-like flowerheads 1-3" across consisting of yellow disc flowers surrounded by petal-like papery bracts that resemble petals appear in summer. Bracts may be white, pale yellow, pink, deep red, terracotta, or orange depending on cultivar. Size:1-5'H x 6-18" W depending on cultivar Light:Full sun; tolerates some shade Soil:Average, moderately moist to dry, well drained Hardiness: Zones 8-10 Care:Low Pests and Diseases: None of significance Propagation:Seed Companion Plants:Lavender cotton, yarrow, Verbena bonariensis Outstanding Selections: 'Monstrosum'(large double flowers) 'Nanum' (dwarf) Lavender cotton, canna lilies, yarrow, Verbena bonariensis bracteatus having bracts khrusós, “ gold The genus Helichrysum /h?l?'kra?s?m/ consists of an estimated 600 species of flowering plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). The type species is Helichrysum orientale. The name is derived from the Greek words ???ss? (helisso, to turn around) and ???s?? (chrysos, gold). Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Australia. Described by Étienne Pierre Ventenat in 1803, it was known as Helichrysum bracteatum for many years before being transferred to a new genus Xerochrysum in 1990. It grows as a woody or herbaceous perennial or annual shrub up to a metre (3 ft) tall with green or grey leafy foliage. Golden yellow or white flower heads are produced from spring to autumn; their distinctive feature is the papery bracts that resemble petals. The species is widespread, growing in a variety of habitats across the country, from rainforest margins to deserts and subalpine areas. The golden everlasting serves as food for various larvae of lepidopterans (butterflies and moths), and adult butterflies, hoverflies, native bees, small beetles, and grasshoppers visit the flower heads. The golden everlasting has proven very adaptable to cultivation. It was propagated and developed in Germany in the 1850s, and annual cultivars in a host of colour forms from white to bronze to purple flowers became available. Many of these are still sold in mixed seed packs. In Australia, many cultivars are perennial shrubs, which have become popular garden plants. Sturdier, long-stemmed forms are used commercially in the cut flower industry. Common Name: everlasting flower   Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Asteraceae Native Range: Australia Zone: 8 to 10 Height: 1.00 to 5.00 feet Spread: 0.50 to 1.50 feet Bloom Time: June to frost Bloom Description: Yellow, orange, red, pink, white Sun: Full sun Water: Dry to medium Maintenance: Low Suggested Use: Annual Flower: Showy, Good Dried Garden locations Culture Annual. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Set seedlings or purchased plants out after last frost date. Plants may self-seed in optimum growing conditions, but many of the cultivars will not come true from seed. Noteworthy Characteristics Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly called strawflower, was formerly included in the genus Helichrysum or Bracteantha. It is a short-lived tender perennial or annual that is native to Australia where it grows in open grassland areas, often in sweeping drifts. In the St. Louis area, it is grown as an annual. It is considered to be one of the paper daises because it features daisy-like flowers (1-3” diameter) with central yellow disks surrounded by glossy, papery, rigid, petal-like bracts in yellow, orange, red, pink or white. Bracts have a straw-like texture, hence the common name. Although species plants may reach 5’ tall, the popular cultivars typically grow 2-3’ tall with some 12” tall dwarf varieties available. Blooms late spring to frost. Lance-shaped gray-green leaves (to 5” long). Strawflower is an everlasting (retains its color and shape as a dried flower) and is sometimes commonly called golden everlasting in reference thereto. It is commercially grown for the dried flower market. It is also a long-lasting fresh cut flower. Genus name means dry-golden. Specific epithet means having bracts. Problems No known serious insect or disease problems. Taller plants may need staking. Garden Uses Dwarf varieties in rock gardens, for edging or in containers or window boxes. Taller varieties in borders. Excellent in cutting gardens for both fresh cut and dried flowers.