All About Strawflowers: A Guide for Beginners
What are Strawflowers?
Strawflowers, also known as everlasting flowers or paper daisies, are beautiful and easy-to-grow annuals. They have bright, papery blooms in a wide range of colors, including red, pink, yellow, orange, purple, and white. Strawflowers are native to Australia and prefer well-drained soil and plenty of sun.
How to Grow Strawflowers
You can grow strawflowers from seed or buy them as seedlings. If you’re starting from seed, sow them directly in the ground in mid to late spring. Space the seeds about 15cm apart. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
Strawflowers need full sun and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant, but they will bloom more profusely if you water them regularly.
How to Care for Strawflowers
Strawflowers are relatively low-maintenance plants. Once they are established, they need little care beyond watering. However, you may want to fertilize them monthly to encourage blooming.
How to Harvest Strawflowers
You can harvest strawflowers for fresh use or dry them for arrangements. To harvest fresh strawflowers, simply cut the stems as required. To dry strawflowers, cut the stems just before the flowers open fully and hang them upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated spot for around three weeks.
Pests and Diseases
Strawflowers are generally pest- and disease-free. However, they may be susceptible to downy mildew if they are grown in wet conditions.
Where to Buy Strawflowers
You can buy strawflower seeds or plants at most garden centers. You can also find them online.
Conclusion
Strawflowers are a beautiful and easy-to-grow addition to any garden. With their bright colors and long-lasting blooms, they are sure to add beauty and cheer to your landscape.
