Strawflower - Swiss Giants

OH I was mesmerised the first time I held one of these flowers in my hand. How could something be so perfect, with such vibrant colour, almost fake looking, but I knew it was real as I had just picked it from the garden for a bouquet! A stunning flower for both fresh and dried bouquets with extra large double petalled flowers in bright colours of Rose, Copper Red, Purple Red, Golden Yellow or Lemon Yellow. Really stands out as one of the best dried flowers as its many names suggest Everlasting Daisy, Golden Everlasting, Straw Daisy, and Immortelle all suggest a long life of vibrant colour. Native to several parts of Australia, originally these were perennial or annual shrubs. In the 1850’s this plant was propagated and developed as an annual cut flower in Germany. Known as a Helichrysum species from the Asteracea family until 1990 when it was re classified with it’s current scientific name. 1.5 m height hardy annual.

Sow seeds in trays, do not cover as light is required for germination, in a glasshouse in early-mid spring. Prick out to 4 cm diagonal spacing when true leaves establish. Transplant to a fertile, free draining garden bed at 30 cm diagonal spacing. Can benefit from support as the plants get quite tall. Frost tender when young, depending on climate may naturalise in your garden as our many frosts have not seemed to kill the plants yet.

50 seeds.