Helichrysum are also known as ‘everlasting’ flowers and are a must-have for any dried flower enthusiast. They are known for their tall stems and delicate, papery flowers that are vibrant even when dried.
Seed Sowing
Helichrysum can be started indoors in March – May in modules or into a seed tray and then pricked out when large enough to handle. Only lightly cover the seeds with compost.
Transplanting
Transplant outside in May once danger of frost has passed, spacing plants 30cm apart. Alternatively direct sow in May into weed free, well prepared soil, sowing into shallow drills 30cm apart. Thin to 30cm in the row once seeds have germinated. Helichrysum can also be grown in containers.
Plant Care
Keep the area weed-free and watered during hot spells. You can mulch around the plants to keep in moisture and prevent weeds. Deadhead to prolong flowering. Support tall-stemmed varieties, especially in windy growing conditions.
Challenges
Generally pest and disease-free, things to look out for are downy or powdery mildew.
Harvest
Pick the flowers often to encourage more flowers to form; they should keep flowering well into the autumn. Ideally harvest the flowers in the morning when temperatures are low and plant water content is high. Plants will arrange better if left to sit in water for a few hours after cutting.
To dry, cut stems and remove lower leaves and hang upside down in bunches in a cool, dark and well ventilated space. Harvest the stems for drying before the flowers are fully open – they will continue to do so as they dry. Handle carefully once dried as the flowers tend to be quite brittle.
Culinary Ideas And Uses
Helichrysum petals are edible but not typically used for culinary purposes.
Seed Saving
Leave the seed heads to fully ripen and dry on the plant before harvesting. The flower petals will begin to crisp and loosen and the pappus on each seed will become fluffy.
Harvest the whole heads and lay out on a sheet to dry further. Thresh by hand or feet and winnow to clean the seeds. Isolate from other varieties of the same species by ½ mile.
Store in a cool dark place; seeds should remain viable for around 2 years.
Most popular Helichrysum Seeds
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Helichrysum – Strawflower (Organic)
£1.85 Add to basketHelichrysum – Strawflower (Organic)
A beautiful mix of white, pink orange and yellow flowers on plants 40cm tall. Strawflowers (also known as ‘everlasting flowers’) are a beautiful addition to the garden. They are perfectly suited for drying, just cut the stem before they are fully open and hang in bunches upside down in a dry place out of direct sunlight. They are also great as a fresh flower for use in bouquets. We love the bright colours in this mix, they remind us of colourful boiled sweets!
(Approximate seed count – 200)
£1.85 -
Helichrysum – Salmon Rose (Organic)
£1.95 Add to basketHelichrysum – Salmon Rose (Organic)
A beautiful variety producing blooms of peach, salmon and pale orange. This is probably our favourite variety of helichrysum, its subtle and delicate tones look stunning in a bouquet or vase. The cut stems can be hung up and dried for use in winter flower arrangements or just left hanging as decoration.
(Approximate seed count – 200)£1.95 -
Helichrysum – Monstrosum (Organic)
£1.85 Add to basketHelichrysum – Monstrosum (Organic)
A tall variety producing an abundance of multi-coloured blooms. This is a wonderful and vibrant helichrysum mix, whose bright blooms look like delicious boiled sweets!
The blooms lend themselves to both fresh and dried flower arrangements so are a great all-rounder.
(Approximate seed count – 200)£1.85 -
Helichrysum – Silvery Rose (Organic)
£1.95 Add to basketHelichrysum – Silvery Rose (Organic)
Delicate papery blooms of pink through to white, equally at home in the border, the vase, or as a dried bunch. This is a new variety for us and we totally love it! The pale blush pink petals are borne on good strong stems, and if flowers are either cut or deadheaded the plants will keep producing over a very long period.
A top favourite for wedding bouquets due to the exquisite delicate and unfolding nature of the blooms.
(Approximate seed count – 200)£1.95
