PlantFiles: Everlasting Daisy, Paper Daisy, Strawflower
Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea

Grew them from seed this year and have harvested dozens of beautiful flowers in shades of pink, white, yellow, orange, burgundy and several bi-colors.

They were very easy care. Just watered regularly. They got quite tall, about 3', so planting this variety at the back of the border would be best. They did overpower their shorter neighbors.

The one question I have is how to store the flowers until I use them in craft projects. I don't want them to get damaged. They seem so fragile.

They are very airy little plants that need mannerly neighbors - anything bushy or floppy next to them will just smother them. They are also very drought-sensitive - a few shriveled rather suddenly when I didn't keep up with the watering, never to be seen again. Another point against them - the flowers close inward on a cloudy or rainy day, and become somewhat gummy and messed up if there is lots of rain. Despite all of that, they are really neat looking and totally worth growing. Easy to grow from seed - bloomed July and August from an early May direct seeding. The foliage is beautiful - looks kind of like green lavender or some other herb. The flowers are discs floating above on tall but neat, upright stems. The petals are actually papery bracts with a crispy texture. I did not manage to get any for drying but they should make excellent dried flowers.