(Xerochrysum bracteatum ‘Strawflower’)
Strawflower is a tender perennial flower that is native to Australia but can be commonly found growing in the northeastern United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 2-3' and features 5” lance-shaped grayish-green leaves and 1-3” daisy-like flowers that have a yellow center disks which are surrounded by orange, red, yellow, pink, or white bracts. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and ladybugs, tolerates drought, self sows, and is great as a cut flower!
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General Information
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Germination
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Seedlings
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Harvesting
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Seed Saving
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Companion Planting
Genus: Xerochrysum
Species: bracteatum
Variety: Strawflower
Also Known As: Paper Daisy, Golden Everlasting
Native to: New Guinea, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia.
Introduced into: Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Bolivia, Canary Is., Colombia, Connecticut, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, East Himalaya, El Salvador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jawa, Korea, Krym, Laos, Leeward Is., Madeira, Massachusetts, Mexico Southeast, Panamá, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Primorye, Puerto Rico, Romania, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam.
Grown as: Annual/Tender Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): June to frost
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low to Medium
Soil Moisture: Dry to medium, well-drained
Maintenance: Low
Beneficial Insects?: Yes. Attracts an array of beneficial insects such as butterflies, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and even ladybugs.
Containers?: Yes.
Height: 30”
Spacing: 11”
Sow Depth: 1/16"
USDA Zone: Annual: 2-7
Perennial: 8-10
Produces: 5” lance-shaped grayish-green leaves and 1-3” daisy-like flowers that have a yellow center disks which are surrounded by orange, red, yellow, pink, or white bracts.
Garden Uses: Borders. Containers, and are excellent in cutting gardens for both fresh cut and dried flowers.
Seed Viability: 2-3 years
Suggested Varieties
(Thymus vulgaris 'Common')
Common Thyme is a woody-based, upright perennial herb that is native to southern Europe but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features a foliage mound of upward growing woody stems, tiny, oval-shaped, grayish-green, aromatic leaves, and small, tubular, light pink flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, repels moths, tolerates deer and drought, flavors perfumes, shampoos, and toothpastes, makes essential oils, mouthwash, and potpourri, and is both edible and medicinal!
(Thymus serpyllum 'Creeping')
Creeping Thyme is a woody-based, creeping perennial herb that is native to Europe but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 3-6” and features a 12-18” wide foliage mat of rooting stems, 1/4” oval-shaped, blueish-green leaves, and small, tubular, two-lipped, bell-shaped dark pink/purple flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees, birds, and butterflies, repels moths, tolerates deer, drought, and light frost, flavors perfumes and soaps, makes essential oils and fungicide, and is both edible and medicinal!