(Craspedia globosa) One of our favorite new flowers on the farm in 2019, Craspedia is an exercise in minimalist modern design. Dense 1-1.5” golden flower-orbs float and sway weightlessly on wiry stems 30” above their slender, silvery rosettes of foliage. Commonly known as drumsticks, billy buttons, and woolly heads, they are originally native to Australia and New Zealand. An excellent cut flower both fresh and dried, they add an unusual, exotic, and almost “non-floral” geometric element to arrangements. It benefits from horizontal grid-type support for straight stems. Once established they are drought tolerant and relatively pest-free. Usually grown as annuals in the north, they can perennialize in zone 9 and warmer.
110 days. UO

Packet: 75 seeds

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost.

Transplant out after last frost.

Note: Very slow growing with a lackluster set of leaves. Don't worry! They'll come along.

PLANTING DEPTH:

1/8" lightly cover with vermiculite

SPACING:

10-12" in rows 8-10" apart.

EMERGENCE:

14-20 days @ soil temp 70-75F

LIGHT:

Full sun

FERTILITY:

Average. Prefers well-drained, and evenly moist. Drought and heat tolerant once established.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

While not absolutely necessary, you may provide staking or netting to keep them upright and tidy with straight stems.

Fresh and dried flower.

Cut long stems when fully open and expect a stem life of forever.

Craspedia, 'Sun Ball'