HELICHRYSUM

 

HELICHRYSUM 

Common names 

Straw flower; Eternal flower; French Immortelles; Fireaball; Snowball; 

Poetical language- Eternity 

It is singular that this is so little grown. It has a wide range of color for an Everlasting; from pure white, to fiery red. Many kinds show blended colors, or flowers two distinct colors. In size they range from the well known tiny "bunch" everlastings for sale at florists, to the large incurved blossoms of such varieties as "Fireball," and "Snowball." Helichrysum may be sown in the open ground, if wished. The seeds germinate in from 5 to 7 days. Do not cover deeply. The plants grow well in any kind of soil, are hardy annuals and free bloomers. Pick the flowers in half bud shape, or just as they expand. Even the buds are handsome and some of them should always be dried. In some parts of Europe these are grown by the acre, and are a profitable crop. Even the peasant wants his bunch of flowers for Saints days and for the holidays. In France the light colored flowers are first bleached white, then dyed in every color of the rainbow.

References;

The Mayflower 1904