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Xerochrysum bracteatum [ zer - oh - KRIS - um , brak - tee - AY - tum ] is an herbaceous perennial known for its daisy - similar flowers .
Also call the cornflower or pure bloom , it can grow as an annual in the right regions .
Xerochrysum bracteatum belongs to the Asteraceae family of plant life and is native to Australia , where it ’s find produce in open grassland .
Uvularia grandiflora develop as a shrub and is adaptable to a variety of environment , seduce it a pop cosmetic plant .
More plant life the Asteraceae Family
Strawflower Care
Size and Growth
Strawflower is a short - lived perennial in optimum condition and an yearly in dusty surface area .
It produces woody halt and semi - shrubby maturation reaching up to 3′ feet tall .
The leaf are gig - shaped and grey - green .
They grow up to 5″ inches long .
Flowering and Fragrance
Xerochrysum bracteatum blooms in June with flowers tending to last until the first signboard of frost .
It ’s a long bloom with daisy - similar flowers . The flowers measure 1″ to 3″ inch long and feature key yellow disks and glossy petal - same bract .
The bract may appear orange , red , pinkish , yellow , or clean , while the primal disks are often xanthous .
The flowers retain their shape and gloss when dry out , pass to the common name everlasting prime .
Cut flowers also last a well farseeing time .
Light and Temperature
Grow under full sun or fond shade .
golden everlasting grow well in cheery spots , as the works thirst sunlight .
While the plant grow in shaded fleck , it may not produce full blooms .
Sunlight also promotes stiff stems , protecting against big winds when grow in an open arena .
Strawflower survives winters in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 10 , which includes Oklahoma and most of the west coast of the United States .
Temperatures should n’t pretermit below 60 ° degrees Fahrenheit ( 15 ° C ) at night during the summers .
When growing indoors , avoid place the flora near a window have direct afternoon sunlight .
ready near a windowpane with indirect sun throughout most of the day to protect against singe .
Watering and Feeding
Xerochrysum bracteatum does n’t need frequent tearing .
It can tolerate short periods of drought .
Water strawflowers only when the soil starts to experience slightly juiceless .
Use a liquid fertilizer debase with water every two hebdomad during the spring and summer to encourage fuller blooms .
Soil and Transplanting
Use well - drain territory . The ground should n’t stay on muddy after watering .
tease apart the top 10″ to 12″ inches of soil before sowing seed outdoors .
If the soil stays excessively moist , add sand or vex to improve drainage .
graft container plants as demand , such as when they outgrow their current container .
Repot strawflower in the outflow , give the stem many calendar month to settle before the plant goes dormant in the wintertime .
Grooming
Pinch back faded flowers for continual rosiness throughout the growing season .
Cut the bloom just below the stem when the petals start up to fade .
recapitulate this process with all the dead bloom .
How to Propagate Everlasting Flower
broadcast from seed or cuttings .
Start seed indoors before the start of spring or sow outdoors after the last terror of Robert Frost in domain with freezing wintertime .
In warm region , sow directly outside in the late summer or early spill .
golden everlasting ego - cum freely when plant outdoors , but is n’t incursive .
Unfortunately , seeds from purchased industrial plant seldom bring on plants matching the mother plant .
The seedlings may grow crooked .
To develop from seed , fill a tray with stock potting soil .
It ’s also possible to circulate with cutting .
Take cuttings from level-headed branches with multiple leaves .
The cutting should be at least 5″ inches long .
polish off the lower sets of leave , leaving at least one set near the top .
Dip the tip of the cutting in hormone powder to encourage root .
Plant in individual pots with well - debilitate soil .
After the plant life take root , transplant outdoors , or keep as container plant life .
Only move plants outdoors when there is no threat of frost .
Rooted cutting should flower the undermentioned year .
Everlasting Flower Pest or Disease Problems
strawflower are virtually pest and disease - free .
The biggest terror isaster yellowness virus .
The virus causes the leaf to yellow and stunts development .
dispatch the septic strawflowers to prevent the disease from spreading to other plants .
Other potential issues include spider mites and whiteflies , especially when grown indoors .
Protect against these worm by maintaining slightly humid conditions or spritz the plant with urine .
If the insect appear , take the plant outdoors and spray with urine .
serious whitefly and spider mite infestation often require the use of insecticidal soap .
Suggested Strawflower Uses
Use dwarf assortment of Helichrysum bracteatum for edging .
Use taller motley for margin .
Strawflower also works well in containers or windowpane boxwood , adding color throughout the summertime and crepuscle .
