XEROCHRYSUM bracteatum - Tom Thumb Mix 25g

Popular long-lasting Australian everlasting that comes in shades of pink, yellow, white, orange and red. 

Xerochrysum has a long bloom cycle from spring to autumn.
Flowers can be used for cutting or dried for everlasting flower arrangements. When the flowers are fairly dry and open they can be cut and hung upside down in bunches in a well-ventilated location until completely dry.

Suitable for pots, containers, borders, rockeries and bedding or mass planting 40cm tall dwarf mixture. Self-seeds readily

Xerochrysum cultivars date back to 1850's when the yellow flower was propagated and developed in Germany when a range of different colours became available.

Previously known as Helichrysum before being transferred to a new genus Xerochrysum in 1990.
Xerochrysum is native to all Australian states although it is widely grown throughout the USA and Europe.   

Prefers a light to medium well-drained in an open sunny position.

Grow notes:

In temperate climates, it is best to sow spring. The flowers will continue throughout summer if adequate water is provided.
If sowing directly into the ground sow on the surface and rake very lightly, it is not critical to cover all the seed. Keep moist. Seed should germinate within 7-14 days 

If sowing in containers:

1. Sow seed on the surface of a porous seed-raising mix. The seed will lodge in the pores of the mix once watered.
2. Sprinkle a very light covering of the seed-raising mix over the seed, it is not critical to cover all the seed. Do not bury the seed deeply.
3. Water with a fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
4. Place in a warm shaded or semi-shaded position to avoid dying out.
5. Keep moist, and avoid drying out or waterlogging the growing mix.
6. Germination generally occurs in around 7-14 days in the right conditions

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.