Plant library · Annual Flowers
Xerochrysum bracteatum
Strawflower is an upright annual that brings papery flowers to sunny planting plans from summer into fall. Reaching about 3 feet tall and 18 inches wide, it reads best as a mid- to back-of-bed layer rather than a low edge. Its long-lasting blooms suit a cutting area where stems can be harvested without leaving a prominent gap in the display.
Use strawflower in a full-sun border, a dedicated cutting bed, or a container grouping where its vertical stems can rise behind shorter annuals. Plant a repeat of several stems rather than a single isolated plant to give the bed a clearer rhythm. Place it near a path only when the planting is deep enough to keep flowering stems from leaning into the circulation space. Taller selections may need staking, so leave room to install supports early.[1]
Set plants 12 inches apart, center to center, for a close annual planting. Each plant can spread about 18 inches at maturity, so allow the outer edge of the group to soften into neighboring planting space rather than crowding a wall or path. In a mixed border, keep the front of the clump behind lower plants so its 3-foot height does not shade them unnecessarily.
Reserve the brightest part of the bed for strawflower, with full sun and soil that drains well after rain. Its low water needs make it a useful fit beside other plants planned for restrained irrigation rather than beside regularly watered, moisture-dependent displays. Avoid low pockets that remain wet, especially where dense planting limits air movement around the stems.[1]
This annual occupies its space for the summer-to-fall flowering season, so plan the bed as a seasonal layer rather than permanent structure. Begin with enough room for plants to branch and carry blooms through the warm months, then expect to clear the planting after the season. Regular cutting can be built into the plan by keeping the clump accessible from one side.
At its full height, strawflower can need simple staking to keep taller stems upright. Position supports within the clump before growth fills in, and avoid a narrow strip between a fence and path where there is no room to reach plants for cutting, deadheading, or securing stems. In exposed sites, give the group enough depth that individual plants can support the visual mass of the planting.[1]
Editorial content updated 2026-07-20.