Strawflowers, also known as Helichrysum bracteatum, are beautiful, everlasting flowers that are prized for their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms. These resilient and versatile plants make an excellent addition to any garden, adding a pop of color and a touch of elegance. If you’re looking to learn how to grow strawflowers successfully, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the steps, tips, and techniques to help you cultivate these stunning blooms in your own garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, you’ll find valuable insights on strawflower care in the following sections.
Why Grow Strawflower?
Strawflowers are gems in the gardening world due to their rapid growth and minimal care requirements. They can be a captivating addition to garden beds, rockeries, or containers, and they hang beautifully in baskets. Their flowers, suitable for both fresh bouquets and dried arrangements, keep their brilliance and form for extended periods when dried. Plus, these blooms act like magnets for butterflies, moths, and other beneficial garden visitors.
How to Grow Strawflowers
In zones 8 to 11, the strawflower typically acts as a short-lived perennial, reappearing for a span of two to three years. However, in many areas, gardeners cultivate strawflowers annually from seeds. As an annual, it prospers in areas that experience warm summers; those with cooler summer conditions might opt to grow calendula, which bears a resemblance to strawflower. Taller varieties, exceeding 3 feet in height, may require staking to remain upright, but recent cultivars are designed to be more robust and early flowering, eliminating the need for additional support. Regular removal of spent flowers, or deadheading, will ensure a continuous display of blooms throughout the growing season.
Choosing the Right Location:
Strawflowers thrive in full sun, so it’s essential to select a sunny location in your garden for planting. Make sure they receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Well-draining soil is crucial, as strawflowers prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil.
Planting Strawflowers:
Strawflowers are typically grown from seeds. Plant the seeds directly in the garden bed or in containers after the last frost date in your region. Sow the seeds shallowly, as they need light to germinate, and maintain a spacing of 12-18 inches between each plant.
Soil:
Soils that are sandy or rocky with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5 to 6.5) are more desirable than those that are rich and dense. However, any soil type will suffice if it provides optimal drainage. Incorporate mulch to help maintain soil moisture and stabilize temperature variations. If planting in a garden, till the soil up to a depth of 10 to 12 inches and mix in 3 inches of compost.
Watering:
These flowers are resilient to drought and can maintain their vibrant blooms even after a week without rain. However, prolonged dry spells can harm them, so it’s essential not to let them dry out for too long. A weekly watering routine keeps them looking lively and vibrant. If it doesn’t rain, ensure they receive roughly 1 inch of water each week during their growth phase, but be cautious not to oversaturate and make the plant’s roots excessively damp.
Temperature and Humidity:
Strawflowers thrive in daytime temperatures ranging from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and around 60 degrees during the night. They cannot withstand frost, making them most suitable for warmer climates and environments with low humidity.
Fertilization:
While strawflowers don’t require large amounts of nutrients, a monthly dose of a balanced flower fertilizer can ensure consistent blooms. Those grown in containers demand more regular feeding compared to garden-planted ones, approximately every fortnight. Always adhere to the quantity guidelines provided on the fertilizer packaging.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
While Strawflowers are usually resilient to pests and diseases, they can sometimes fall prey to the aster yellows virus.1 This ailment becomes particularly challenging in regions with significant leafhopper populations, as these insects transmit the disease. Signs of infection include leaves turning yellow and hindered growth. Unfortunately, once a Strawflower contracts this disease, there’s no cure. Hence, it’s vital to promptly eliminate affected plants to halt the spread of the virus.
Strawflower Varieties
Strawflowers, with their vibrant and papery-textured blooms, come in a range of varieties. While each offers the signature papery petals, they differ in color, size, and growth habits. Here are some popular strawflower varieties:
Bright Bikini Series: Compact plants that bloom early with vibrant colors ranging from deep rose to lemon yellow.
Dargan Hill Monarch: A tall variety that can reach up to 4 feet. It’s renowned for its large golden-yellow flowers.
Princess Series: These are dwarf strawflowers, perfect for pots and small gardens. They produce a profusion of flowers in shades of pink, rose, white, and yellow.
Sundaze Series: They are heat-tolerant with a wide range of colors including golden yellow, flame, and blaze.
Tall Double Mix: As the name suggests, these have taller stems and produce a mix of double blooms in colors like pink, yellow, and red.
Tom Thumb Series: Another dwarf variety, these are compact and bushy with an array of colors from red and rose to gold and white.
Conclusion
Growing strawflowers can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for gardeners of all levels of expertise. With the right care, these long-lasting, vibrant flowers will grace your garden with their beauty and charm throughout the growing season. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of cultivating strawflowers and enjoying their enduring splendor year after year. So, get your garden ready, select your favorite strawflower varieties, and watch as these magnificent blooms transform your outdoor space. Happy gardening!