Acroclinium roseum Sensation Giants Mix seeds - Pink Everlasting

Acroclinium 'Sensation Giants Mix', also known as Helipterum roseum, is a lovely mix of Australian everlasting daisies. It blooms all summer with large, very double flowers in shades of pink and white, around a yellow or black centre. The daisy-like flower heads have a glossy papery texture that captures and reflects light and colours. They rise above a grey-green foliage of helichrysum. Grown as annuals, these tender plants from arid lands tolerate drought and heat. They are perfect in containers, borders, and of course in dried or fresh bouquets.

The Australian everlasting daisy, sometimes called Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp rosea, or more poetically rose everlasting, is a frost-tender perennial plant from the Asteraceae family, just like daisies and asters. It is native to the Southwest of Australia, in a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers. This fast-growing plant, mostly grown as an annual in our climates, is particularly suited to harsh conditions and drought. Plants in this selection grow in clumps, branching from the base, with leaves, reaching about 50 cm in height, their bushy silhouette resembles that of curry plant (Helichrysum italicum). The slender, elongated foliage covering the stems is silver-green. Flowering occurs from July to October, in 5 cm diameter heads. These inflorescences are architectural, with a double collar formed of dry, pearly bracts that reflect light, around a yellow or black centre circled in yellow. They tend to close in overcast weather.

The Australian everlasting daisy is ideal for borders, sunny beds, and rockeries, provided the soil is well-drained. Place this plant in the foreground and combine it with California poppies that also prefer poor soils. It harmonises perfectly with mugworts or bushy salvias in a dry garden. It also adapts very well to container and pot cultivation. Its flower buds already offer decorative appeal. It is perfect for creating fresh or dried bouquets, soft and refined. To make dried bouquets, it is advisable to pick the flowers before full bloom, tie them in bunches with raffia, and hang them upside down in a dark, cool, dry, and well-ventilated place.