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The strawflower is one of the more popular flowers used in dried-flower arrangements. Known as an “Everlasting” Helichrysum Bracteatum, the botanical name for Strawflower, is an annual plant which can be grown easily from seed just about anywhere. It grows to a height of two to three feet tall though there are some dwarf cultivars available.
The flowers are two and a half inches wide and have a pom-pom look to them though they most resemble the daisy in form. The petals radiant from a protuberant center which is usually a bright yellow color and tend to curve downward and back as they mature or when set to drying. The petals look and feel papery which makes them ideal for drying. The less moisture a flower contains the better they are for drying. When dried the Strawflower can last indefinitely. They can also be used in fresh flower arrangement and last a good long time in water. The leaves are long, slim shaped and of a medium green color.
Seeds are readily available either in garden centers or my mail order. Mostly they are sold in mixed colors but from a mail order place like Seymore Select Seeds, which specializes in unusual and hard-to-come-by cultivars of annuals and perennials, you may be able to buy the seeds by specific color. Flowers come in virtually every color except blue with the yellows being the ones that tend to retain their color best when dried. Other colors tend to fade and the even the purest whites turn slightly brown.
Strawflower likes full sun, moderate water, light feeding and your average garden soil. Sow seeds in spring at the same time for marigolds and Zinnias. Like with most annuals the more flowers cut off the more it keeps blooming so don’t be afraid to pick as you would from other annuals. If intending to use the flowers in fresh flower arrangements pick them in the early morning when moisture is at its highest.
When picking them for drying wait until all dew is gone and the flower feels dry, possibly by noon on sunny days. The flowers picked for drying should be not fully opened. They tend to open wider as they dry with the petals at times folding completely back. Depending on the look you want cut them accordingly. Cut long stems and remove all leaves. Bunch stems in small bundles, fastened with a rubber band and hang upside down out of direct sun. The sun fades the colors quickly. I prefer to dry flowers and herbs in my greenhouse inside paper bags so light won’t hit them to fade the flavor and color.
A fair warning when using dried Strawflowers; they are a bit brittle and like to pop off the stems. Wire can help you with that or you can use them as I do. I take only the flower without stem and place them in an empty and no longer in use fish bowl then I arrange either peacock feathers or other more sturdy dried flowers within the strawflowers. The strawflowers stabilize the stems and make a very pretty decoration. They look great added to potpourri or alone sitting in a pretty dish. I’m certain you can come up with tons more ideas for these lovely perpetual blossoms.
The Strawflower is a very nice little plant to have in your garden. Easily grown, not fussy and with the added pleasure of giving you “Everlasting” flowers it should be a welcome addition to any flower bed. Try it. I’m certain you’ll like it.
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 For more garden talk, funny short stories and romantic novel excerpts visit http://www.helium.com/users/32782
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