Common Name: strawflower
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asteraceae
Native Range: Crete
Zone: 9 to 10
Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet
Bloom Time: May
Bloom Description: Yellow-orange
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flower: Showy, Good Cut, Good Dried
Leaf: Colorful
Tolerate: Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-10 where it is easily grown in average, neutral to alkaline, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in sandy/gritty soils. Superior soil drainage is a key to growing this plant well. Start seed (if available) indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date. Set seedlings or purchased plants out after last frost date. Containers may be brought indoors before first frost for overwintering or cuttings may be taken in late summer for overwintering.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Helichrysum heldreichii, commonly known as strawflower or everlasting, is a tender perennial or subshrub that typically grows in a mound to 2-3’ tall and as wide on woody-based stems clad with alternate, simple, linear leaves (to 3” long) covered with silvery-white downy hairs. It is native to chalky-limestone cliffs in Crete where it is currently classified as “Vulnerable” as per the 1995 Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece. Inflorescence is a compound terminal corymb (flowers in clusters) of numerous, small, yellow-orange disk florets (rays absent) subtended by pale yellow involucre bracts. Flowers bloom in May. Flowers are popular additions to dried arrangements because the yellow florets and bracts retain their yellow color after being cut and dried, hence the common name of everlasting. Fruits are seed-like achenes.
Genus name comes from the Greek words helios meaning the sun and chrysos meaning golden.
Specific epithet honors Theodor H.H. von Heldreich (1822-1902), German botanist who settled in Greece where he reportedly discovered 7 new genera and over 700 new species of plants.
Problems
No known serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to root rot, particularly in poorly-drained soils. Powdery mildew and rust may appear.
Uses
May be difficult to locate this plant in nurseries. It makes an interesting addition to rock gardens or border fronts where winter hardy. Where not winter hardy, grow in containers that are brought indoors for overwintering.