Thursday, January 28, 2010

Bracteantha bracteata - Paper Daisy

My experiences with this plant are rather limited ... last year was the first time I've ever grown these intriguing little natives, formerly known as Helichrysum bracteatum.  I just adore their papery, crackly texture.


They're a low growing, spreading perennial with daisy-like blooms that have a yellow centre surrounded by coloured papery bracts.  The specific name "bracteata" in fact refers to the numerous, dry, papery bracts, which are often incorrectly referred to as petals.  It is the yellow centre that is in fact a cluster of small flowers.


These were so successful in providing a cheery bright groundcover in a sunny position ... the main display lasted from late winter right through to mid-summer and there's still the occasional flower right now through the rainy end of summer.

I've now bought some other colours to add to my new garden beds.  I now know that they like a moist, well drained soil and they do well with a monthly feed of a low phosphorus fertilizer.
 

These Paper Daisies or Everlasting Daisies are great as cut or dried flowers.  For use as dried flowers, they should be cut just as the bud begins to open ... then hung by the stem, head down, in a shady and dry area for a few weeks.

7 comments:

  1. I was very excitied to see this post on the Blotanical list Bernie as I've been finding out about Bracteanthas for my butterflies and have just planted a Golden one recently. Your photos are superb. I think I'll look out for the pink and red, they are delightful! Heidi.

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  2. These are some of my very favourite flowers! Beautiful pics :)

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  3. Thanks Kyna ... these are now one of my favourite perennials. After such a short time growing these ... I'm now hooked!

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  4. The helichrysum looks much like one that I have grown in my garden here in the southeastern USA. I was fascinated by their papery, dried flower like texture. Yours are quite beautiful. I found your great blog through blotanical. Welcome, and come visit my garden when you get a chance.

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  5. Glad you enjoyed your visit Debsgarden ... I love the dried flower like texture of these flowers too!

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  6. Love Helichrysum, they look lovely together with bush rocks. I Haven't grown them for many years as my garden got shadier and shadier. Recently, on my trip into the Outback I saw many tiny white ones growing in profusion at the Bourke airport. Your photos are superb showing well the different colours.

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  7. Thanks for your comment Titania ... I just love these in the garden.

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