Helichrysum bracteatum (Everlasting Flower)

Admired for the beauty of its joyful flowers, Helichrysum bracteatum or Xerochrysum bracteatum (Everlasting Flower) is a short-lived tender perennial or annual boasting daisy-like flowers, up 1-3 in. across (2-8 cm), adorned with a central yellow disk surrounded by glossy, petal-like bracts in brilliant shades of yellow, orange, red, pink or white. The petals are like stiff paper, unfolding to form concentric rings in bright colors. Blooming from late spring to the first frost, they rise atop erect stems clad with lance-shaped, green leaves. Wonderful in a sunny border or in a vase at home, everlasting flowers are terrific in dried flower arrangements as they retain perfectly well their shape and color.

• Grows up to 1-5 ft. tall (30-150 cm) but usually tops out at 3 ft. (90 cm). May self-seed, but many of the cultivars will not come true from seed.
• Thrives in full sun, in moderately fertile, neutral to alkaline, dry to medium, well-drained soils.
• Fabulous for beds and borders, cottage gardens, gravel and rock gardens, Mediterranean gardens or prairie plantings. Excellent in cutting gardens for both fresh cut and dried flowers.
• Deadhead any spent flowers. Cut back after flowering.
• Virtually pest free, but watch for downy mildew. Everlasting Flowers are deer-resistant.
• Propagate by seed sown at 65°C (18°C) in spring. Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
• Native to Australia.