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 maintenance
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation:Seed
Companion Plants :Lavender cotton, yarrow, Verbena bonariensis
Outstanding Selections:
‘Monstrosum'(large double flowers)
‘Nanum’ (dwarf)
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Karen Meyers