Strawflower ‘Candy Pink’

Bracteantha bracteata

Features

  • Cut-and-come-again
  • Dryable
  • Easy to grow
  • Heat-loving
  • Pollinator-friendly

Description

Also known in the trade as ‘Rose’

A versatile and textural addition to the cutting garden, strawflower can be used fresh and also dried in fall bouquets and wreaths. These rose-pink flowers have an iridescent quality—the base of the petals are white and darken to rose-pink at the tip. Also known as everlasting flowers, the color and shape of these papery blooms will last indefinitely when dried. Pollinators love them.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 6 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Seed requires light to germinate, so do not cover. Bottom-water until seedlings emerge.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when the flowers are half open and before they are pollinated. Expect a vase life of 7 days or more. To dry, remove foliage and hang upside down in a warm, dark place until firm.

Details

Description

Also known in the trade as ‘Rose’

A versatile and textural addition to the cutting garden, strawflower can be used fresh and also dried in fall bouquets and wreaths. These rose-pink flowers have an iridescent quality—the base of the petals are white and darken to rose-pink at the tip. Also known as everlasting flowers, the color and shape of these papery blooms will last indefinitely when dried. Pollinators love them.

Details

Plant type: annual
Height: 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 80 to 90 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary

Seed Sowing & Growing Notes

Start seed indoors in trays 6 weeks before last frost. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Seed requires light to germinate, so do not cover. Bottom-water until seedlings emerge.

Harvesting/Vase Life

Harvest when the flowers are half open and before they are pollinated. Expect a vase life of 7 days or more. To dry, remove foliage and hang upside down in a warm, dark place until firm.

Sources

How to Grow

Seed-Saving Mini Course

Learn how to save seed from zinnia, dahlia, and celosia

In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.