If you want to try growing and drying your own flowers then strawflowers are great to start with. Follow my instructions below to get your own growing now!
Strawflowers (Xerochrysum bracteatum or a.k.a Helichrysum bracteatum) are one of my favourite flowers to dry. They have dry straw-like petals and come in a huge range of colours which stay vibrant even after drying. They are lovely displayed in a vase, on a wreath or in many of the other ways I use them in my work.
Growing Instructions
- Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost
- Sow seed thinly in a pot and prick out into paper pots when big enough to handle or you can start them in individual pots. This year I have also tried sowing in soil blocks.
Always choose the freshest seed possible. You can see the difference here between fresh saved seed and reusing leftover seed from the previous year.
- Press the seeds onto moist potting soil and do not cover seed as light is required for germination.
- Keep somewhere warm (18-20C)
- Water from the bottom or carefully mist to avoid washing away or covering seeds
- Germination can take 5-20 days. Keep them in bright light as they grow
- Harden off and transplant out after danger of frost has passed
Healthy Strawflower Seedlings in Paper Pots ready to be planted
- Plant in full sun. They can even grow in large pots if you do not have a garden. They thrive in most soil types, even dry, sandy soils. And can cope with drought, although keeping them watered is best
Plants can reach up to 1m tall and should be spaced between 20-30cm apart. The flowers are borne on long straight stems and can be harvested for drying before they are fully open. The flowers continue to open after cutting so don’t leave them until they are fully open.
I cut stems and remove leaves before hanging to dry somewhere out of bright light. You can also dry them by laying flat if you want the flowers facing forward on the stems.
They will continue to produce more blooms and flower right up until the first frost.
Grow them, cut them, dry them and enjoy their bright happy blooms all winter long…what’s not to love!
If you don’t start your own from seed then watch for my seedling sale later in May. If you sign up for my newsletter you will get priority access to my seedling sale list.
If you have any questions then let me know and I will be happy to answer.
Happy Growing!
Rosalind's Garden Blooms 