Strawflower Double Flowered Mixed Seeds - Helychrysum monstruosum

Strawflower (Helychrysum monstruosum) is a beautiful short-lived perennial that is popular for cutting. Its large, papery flowers remain colourful for a very long time, perfect for dried arrangements. This seed mix brings offers lovely, fully double blooms in a wide array of warm, bright shades. Sow it in shallow or stony soils, in the slightly wilder areas of the garden and it will flower enthusiastically all summer long.

Helychrysum bracteatum monstruosum is a woody-based perennial that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to Australia and is usually grown as an annual in colder climates due to its low tolerance to cold weather, and also because it flowers during its first year when grown from seed. Within a few weeks, it forms an erect clump of stiff stems. The plants from this seed mix grow to a height of around 1 m. Flowering takes place from summer to early autumn, depending on the sowing date. The flowers are arranged in 4 cm flower heads with papery, fully double bracts that hold their colour for a long time once they are dry. Colours included in this seed mix are bronze, copper, golden yellow, deep purple, bright red, garnet red and orange. The rough stems bear numerous narrow, dark green leaves covered with a light white down which gives them a soft silvery sheen when they catch the light.

Starflowers are heat-loving, drought-tolerant plants that give best results in full sun with regular watering. They look beautiful in wildflower meadows alongside cosmos, daisies, ornamental thistles, cornflowers and poppies. To create dry flower arrangements, pick the flowers before they are in full bloom and hang them upside down in the dark, to preserve their bright colours. They are also superb in fresh arrangements with asters, lilies or roses in September.