Straw Flower (Helichrysum Bracteatum) 400 seeds (#1727)

Helichrysum bracteatum, or Strawflower, is a stout perennial native to Australia. In cooler climate grow it as a summer annual. The 80 cm tall plants have 12-14 cm long oblong-lanceolate leaves.
Flowers of this species are great as cut flowers and when they are dried, the papery flowers will last indefinitely. For drying cut only half-open flowers in dry weather. Hang stems head downwards in a cool, dark, airy place fro drying.
The plants are easy to culture and make excellent container plants.
Helichrysum bracteatum do best in full sun with a well drained soil mix. In the greenhouse, we use a soil mix consisting of 1 part peat moss to 2 parts loam and sand. Plants are well watered and allowed to dry before watering again. During the spring and summer months, we fertilize the plants monthly with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. In the fall, we collect seed and discard the plants. This is much easier than trying to overwinter them. When growing in the landscape, they tend to reseed themselves. In late winter, the plants are restarted for the next spring and summer. (info source: plantoftheweek.org)
Approximately 400 seeds in 0.5g packet.

Genus - Helichrysum
Species - Bracteatum
Common name - Straw Flower
Pre-Treatment - Not-required
Hardiness zones - 3 - 8
Height - 0.80 m
Spread - 0.30 m
Plant type - Hardy Annual, perennial
Vegetation type - Semi-evergreen
Exposure - Full Sun
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Neutral
Soil type - Well drained, medium heavy, moderately fertilized
Water requirements - Average - high
Landscape uses - Dry Flowers, borders, mixed compositions
Bloom season - August - October
Leaf / Flower color - Green / Orange, pink, red, salmon, white, yellow

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
Direct sow indoors before the last frost or outdoors after the last frost.
Seed will germinate in 7-10 days at +18-+26C.