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Xerochrysum bracteatum

Previously known as:

  • Bracteantha bracteata
  • Helichrysum bracteatum
Phonetic Spelling
zer-oh-KRIS-um brak-tee-AH-tum
Description

Strawflower can be grown as a short-lived tender perennial or as an annual.  It is easily grown in average to dry soils.  It has moderate drought tolerance.  Enjoy blooms from late spring until frost.  The daisy appearing flowers have a yellow central disk that is surrounded by glossy bracts in a variety of colors.  Having petals similar to stiff paper, they unfold to form rings in bright colors.  The common name strawflower, comes from the straw-like texture of these bracts.  The flowers retain their shape and color when dried and are grown for the dried flower market.  Cut fresh flowers also last a long time.  Although some cultivars reach up to 5 feet tall, most are 2-3 feet tall with some 12" dwarf varieties available.   Dwarf varieties do well in rock gardens, containers, or window boxes while taller plants are great for boarders.  

In its native to Australia, growing freely in open grassland.  Its scientific name comes from the Greek xeros, meaning dry and chrysos or golden.  Bracteatum comes from the Latin bracteatus which means bearing bracts.

A low maintenance plant, however, you may want to deadhead regularly to encourage side shoots, resulting in more blooms.  It can be cut back after flowering is competed.  A annual light pruning will encourage branching, which will result in a larger amount of blooms.  

Formally in the genus Helichrysum.  This plant is in the Asteraceae family.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: May be susceptible to downy mildew.  There are no known insect problems.

Taller plants may need some staking to remain upright.  Plants may self-seed, however many cultivars will not grow true from seed.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bright Bikini'
    Dwarf form up to 15" with multiple colors available.
  • 'Cockatoo'
    Perennial similar to 'Dargan Hill Monarch', pale yellow bracts around a head of small orange flowers.
  • 'Dargan Hill Monarch'
    Perennial with grey leaves and yellow flowers.
  • 'Diamond Head'
    Perennial with green foliage and yellow flowers.
  • 'Forever Mix'
    Rich mixed colors with a height of up to 3'.
  • 'Kimberly Sunset'
    Perennial with grey leave and pink flowers.
  • 'Kingsize Mixed'
    Larger flowers, heights to 3'.
  • 'Princess of Wales'
    Perennial similar to 'Dargan Hill Monarch', more compact, yellow flowers.
'Bright Bikini', 'Cockatoo', 'Dargan Hill Monarch', 'Diamond Head', 'Forever Mix', 'Kimberly Sunset', 'Kingsize Mixed', 'Princess of Wales'
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#white flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#flower arrangements#herbaceous#long-lasting flowers#perennial flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#annual flowers#cutting garden#pollinator plant#fantz#flowers midsummer#dried arrangements#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#perennial#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bright Bikini'
    Dwarf form up to 15" with multiple colors available.
  • 'Cockatoo'
    Perennial similar to 'Dargan Hill Monarch', pale yellow bracts around a head of small orange flowers.
  • 'Dargan Hill Monarch'
    Perennial with grey leaves and yellow flowers.
  • 'Diamond Head'
    Perennial with green foliage and yellow flowers.
  • 'Forever Mix'
    Rich mixed colors with a height of up to 3'.
  • 'Kimberly Sunset'
    Perennial with grey leave and pink flowers.
  • 'Kingsize Mixed'
    Larger flowers, heights to 3'.
  • 'Princess of Wales'
    Perennial similar to 'Dargan Hill Monarch', more compact, yellow flowers.
'Bright Bikini', 'Cockatoo', 'Dargan Hill Monarch', 'Diamond Head', 'Forever Mix', 'Kimberly Sunset', 'Kingsize Mixed', 'Princess of Wales'
Tags:
#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#white flowers#spring flowers#fall interest#flower arrangements#herbaceous#long-lasting flowers#perennial flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#annual flowers#cutting garden#pollinator plant#fantz#flowers midsummer#dried arrangements#flowers early summer#flowers late summer#butterfly friendly#flowers early fall#perennial#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Xerochrysum
    Species:
    bracteatum
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Australia
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies, bees and birds.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Easy to Grow
    Textural
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long Bloom Season
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Smalll, 1-3 cm daisy-like flowers come in yellow, orange, white, red and pink.  They have yellow centers and has ridgid papery petal-like bracts that surround a bright yellow center.   The bracts have a straw-like texture, hence the common name.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Oblanceolate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Gray-green lance-shaped leaves up to 5" long. The hairs feel like a cobweb.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Erect stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Rock Wall
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer