The garden strawflower originally comes from Australia and belongs to the daisy family. Botanically, it is now known as Xerochrysum bracteatum, while the older name Helichrysum bracteatum is still often found in horticulture and older literature. Its exceptionally durable flowers made strawflowers popular dried flowers from an early stage. Fittingly, they are also known as immortelles - flowers that preserve their form and intense colour long after summer.
'Lemon Yellow' is excellent for sunny flower beds, cut flower gardens and plantings with other annual summer flowers. From July to September or October, new lemon-yellow flowers appear continuously. Bees, hoverflies and butterflies also visit the flowers and collect nectar and pollen.
For fresh summer bouquets and long-lasting dried flowers
The long, stable stems make 'Lemon Yellow' an excellent cut flower. However, the strawflower is especially known for its use in dried bouquets, wreaths and floral decorations. When dried, the firm bracts retain their papery structure and bright colour for a very long time.
For dried flowers, the stems are best harvested when the outer bracts have just opened and the centre of the flower is still largely closed. At this stage, the flowers keep their shape particularly well during drying. The cut stems are hung upside down in small bunches in a dry, dark and well-ventilated place. After around two to three weeks they are fully dried and can be used for dried bouquets, wreaths and other decorations.
Regular cutting or removal of faded flowers encourages the plant to form further buds and thereby extends the flowering period. In windy locations, the tall plants can be lightly supported if necessary.
Sowing and care of strawflower 'Lemon Yellow'
For early flowering, strawflower can be pre-cultivated indoors from March. The seeds need light to germinate and are therefore scattered onto moist seed compost, pressed down only lightly and not covered with soil. At a germination temperature of around 18 to 22 °C, the first seedlings usually appear after 10 to 21 days. Keep the substrate evenly moist during the germination phase, but avoid waterlogging.
As soon as the young plants are strong enough, they can be pricked out and grown on individually. After the last frosts, from around mid-May, the hardened-off plants can be planted outdoors. From this time onwards, direct sowing in the final position is also possible. A planting distance of around 20 to 30 cm gives the branched plants enough room to develop well.
'Lemon Yellow' loves a fully sunny, warm location with loose, well-drained soil. Sandy-loamy, moderately nutrient-rich soils are especially suitable. Waterlogging should be avoided at all costs. Once established, strawflowers also tolerate shorter dry periods and need only moderate watering. Heavy fertilisation is not necessary and can lead to lush leaf growth at the expense of flower formation.
As an annual summer flower, strawflower is sown anew each year in Central Europe. With its tall growth, long flowering period and durable lemon-yellow flowers, 'Lemon Yellow' is a versatile variety for flower beds, cut flower gardens and dried floristry.
Other names
| Botanical name: |
Xerochrysum bracteatum, Syn. Helichrysum bracteatum |
| French names: |
Immortelle à bractées, Immortelle, Hélichryse à bractées, Fleur de paille |
| English names: |
Strawflower, Tall Strawflower, Everlasting Flower, Paper Daisy, Golden Everlasting |
| Spanish names: |
Siempreviva, Siempreviva de brácteas, Flor de papel, Inmortal |
| Italian names: |
Elicriso a brattee, Elicriso, Sempreverde, Fiore di carta |
| Dutch names: |
Strobloem, Hoge strobloem, Tuinstrobloem, Papierbloem |
