How do you care for a strawflower?
Xerochrysum Bracteatum is the botanical name for Strawflowers. However, they were once part of the Helichrysum genus so you might still see them with that name. They get their first half of the botanical name by combining xeros with chrysos, which in Greek means dry and golden. This brings us to everlasting gold, one of the many nicknames for this flower. Read on to know all plant care tips.
- Because of their straw-like bracts, rigid petals and persistent color, strawflowers are often called everlasting daisies or simply everlasting flowers. They are a popular choice in dried arrangements.
- These plants can be grown in the same USDA hardiness zones as their native Australian grasslands. You won’t be able keep them alive outside of this range.
- Their cheerful flowers will brighten up your garden with bright yellows, pinks and reds.
- They’ll also attract many pollinators.
- Strawflowers can reach a height anywhere from 1 to 5 ft, with dwarf varieties at either the low or high end. Average plants are around 3 ft tall.
- The length of the green, grayish, and languid-shaped leaves is approximately 5 inches.
- Individual blossoms are usually around an inch in diameter. Despite their small size, each blossom will be brightly colored and easily identifiable.
- Strawflowers can be grown easily, are deer-resistant and are tolerant to high heat. They are a whimsical addition to any garden.
How to grow strawflowers for your garden or landscape
- Strawflowers are great for areas with limited shade, as they can withstand heat. Because they are available in many bright colors, you will be able to mix and match them depending on the other plants you have.
- These prolific producers will remain brightly in flower from late spring through the first frost.
- They are a great transition plant for keeping a wide range of colors in your garden while the spring annuals stop blooming and the late-season bloomers have yet arrived.
- Staggered heights will fill out a mass planting with a rainbow of colors. However, taller stalks might require more staking. To allow them to grow, leave at least 9 inches between each plant in the garden bed.
- Strawflowers can grow well in hanging baskets. When positioning multiple different plants for a thriller/spiller/filler arrangement they dutifully perform the roll of filler with an upright flush of blossoms that will cover the soil and give that thriller center stage.
- Keep in mind that flowers planted in hanging baskets will retain less moisture than plants in the ground and require more frequent watering.
- Strawflowers are resistant to air pollution so they’re worth considering if you live in an inner-city area.
How to propagate strawflowers
Strawflowers thrive when they are propagated from seed. Seeds should be sown at least two months before the last frost. If you don’t live in a warm area, you can start them indoors.
There are two options: wait until the threat of frost is over and then sow seeds directly in your garden beds.
- To germinate seeds, they should be kept close to the surface. This is to ensure that the light gets through to them.
- For the first week to 10 days, keep the pots moist until the sprouts begin to grow.
- To mimic nighttime, these seedlings need 16 hours of light exposure and 8 hours of darkness.
- To avoid heat damage, such as burn marks, you should raise your indoor grow lights as the seedlings become taller.
- You should check for roots emerging from the bottoms of smaller pots. Your seedlings may need larger pots for a brief time before they can move outside.
- You can slowly bring your young plants out into the open, but keep them protected from high winds and intense sunlight until they adjust to their new surroundings.
- This hardening period is thought to increase cell structure and decrease overall shock.
First, apply a soil conditioner to the top 6-8 inches of soil if you want to plant seeds directly in the garden. Cover the seeds with soil only, ensuring that they are not too close to the surface. A few inches of mulch that is pollinator-friendly is an alternative to retaining moisture and improving soil quality.
Should I deadhead straw flowers?
- Strawflowers are definite candidates for deadheading. You should not allow your flowers to go to seed too early. Instead, you can prune away any dead or dying blooms to encourage the plant to continue producing flowers throughout the season.
- You can stop deadheading after the season is over. Instead, collect the seeds for next year or let them disperse around the ground.
Strawflower care will not require extensive pruning. If your plant is getting too tall, however, this can be beneficial. This problem can lead to extremely tall plants that have very few leaves at the top of each stem. It is usually caused by them stretching to get adequate sunlight. This can also occur if they don’t get at least moderate pruning.
Do strawflowers need fertilizer?
Strawflowers can be grown without fertilizer, they will still produce beautiful blooms when fed with general food. Slow-release granular fertilizer is also an option. You can also use slow-release granular fertilizer.
They are easy to grow and can withstand everything from urban pollution to soil pH changes and periods of drought. Enjoy the vibrant colors they bring to your yard. Enjoy the joy they bring to your garden. When they are ready, you can cut fresh flowers to make a bouquet for your foyer or as a gift.
How much space do Strawflowers need? Strawflower repotting and container-growing
You can permanently transplant seedlings and mature plants into containers by choosing a dwarf 12 inch variety. This will ensure that they don’t grow to 5 feet.
Repotting can be made easier by reducing transplant shock. Root disturbance can be minimized by being gentle when removing plants from their original pots to prevent damage to healthy roots. Also, trimming only when necessary and working efficiently to reduce time that roots are exposed.
- Bury your transplant at the same depth as it was in the original pot.
- This means that you should dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball and not cover it with too much soil after it is moved.
- Although it can be tempting just to put as many flowers in a container as possible, proper spacing is essential due to the small space available.
- Plants that are too crowded will struggle to get nutrients and sunlight.
- When you mix different types of flowers and plants together, choose varieties with similar soil requirements and maintenance needs.
- Finally, remember their role as a natural filler plant in the thriller/spiller/filler hanging basket trio.
These same principles apply to larger containers that are at ground level.
Layering plants in different proportions creates an experience three-dimensional that is far superior to a simple bucket.
Strawflower varieties
Hybrid cultivars are primarily distinguished by their flower color and height when it comes to strawflower varieties. You should check the labels to see the species (bracteatum), genus (Xerochrysum), and hybrid identifier (e.g. ‘Copper Red’ or ‘Lemon Princess’). You may also see similar hues in apricot/peach and golden yellow.
There are many shades available for these flowers. Many varieties have been developed by nurseries and seed companies. They can withstand drought, soil conditions, deer, and poor air quality.
Is strawflower toxic to pets and humans?
The good news is that strawflowers are not toxic to humans or animals if they are ingested, especially cats, dogs and horses. They aren’t on any major poisonous plant lists, so they won’t cause serious health problems if swallowed. The most common side effect is temporary gastrointestinal distress, which can manifest as vomiting or diarrhea.
Dogs can’t tell the differences, and most of the time, so can we. Your pets should not be allowed to eat large amounts of plants. They could become addicted and end up suffering tremendously if they do.
Common diseases and pests that affect strawflowers – Why is my straw flower dying?
Strawflowers are generally resistant to pests and disease. But downy mildew is a problem that they may occasionally encounter.
There are two types of downy mildew: Plasmopara Halstedii, and Bremia Lactucae.
However, they all cause the same damage and require the same treatment.
- Although downy mildew does not look the same as powdery mildew it is still a form of mildew. It requires low temperatures and high humidity to thrive.
- Sporulation, which is a white or pale purple spot on the undersides of leaves, will help you identify it.
- The spots may become yellowish-colored blotches at the top of the leaves as the disease progresses.
- If left untreated, downy mildew may kill plants or cause a more serious problem that can stunt growth and/or lead to malformations and discoloration.
Use of fungicides to treat downy mildew. However, they should not be specifically labeled as strawflowers.
- Talk to someone at your local garden center to ensure you are purchasing an effective product.
- Verticillium wilt is a less common fungal infection.
- It’s caused by Verticillium dahliae, which causes yellowed, and wilting, and usually occurs on one side.
- It is possible that soil treatments that contain chloropicrin (which gets added to sulfuryl fluoride) can help fight this fungus.
The aster leafhopper is the only insect that can bother Xerochrysum Bracteatum. It transmits the aster yellows virus. Carbaryl is a pesticide that can be used to control them. It can be found in many commercial products. A fine-screened cage is a good option. Also, imidacloprid can be applied to the roots to help.