There are many ways to plan your garden. One nice option is
to plant flowerbeds with themes and particular uses. An Everlasting
Garden of flowers and plants that can be
cut and dried for crafts and dried arrangements is not only beautiful
but gives you materials for home decor and gift making. The following
plants are easiest and can be direct seeded in your garden area.
Amaranthus caudatus- Love-lies-Bleeding:
Pick young red spikes with good color, on long stems. The older
the blooms the more they will fade. Hang 3-4 stems to dry at a time.
Amaranthus needs full sun, and can tolerate a dry soil, which is one
reason it's a valued grain plant in many countries! Direct seed after
the last frost.
Amaranthus hypochondriacus: Upright red or green spikes of
blooms on leafy stems. Pick stems early to avoid shattering of
over mature stalks. Hang to dry in bundles of 5 - 7 stems. Same
growing instructions as above.
Ammobium alatum- Winged Everlasting: this pretty white and yellow
flower from Australia prefers a well-drained sunny location and soil
on the sandy side. They will grow about 36 inches tall and spread a
foot. Pick for drying when they are JUST opening. These will bloom
again after cutting, and if allowed they will also reseed each year.
Carthamus tinctorius- Safflower: This pretty yellow, white and orange
annual grows to about 36 inches tall and can be direct seeded in early
spring as soon as the soil can be dug. Thin out to about 6 inches apart.
They like well-drained soil and a very sunny location. C. tinctorius is a
very old dye plant introduced in the 16th Century. It grows quickly, so
plant early and where you want it to stay. The blooms are thistle-like
and should be cut the blooms to dry when opened. This can do double
duty as an everlasting and a dye source.
Celosias-The crested and plume type celosias work as everlastings
if they are dried quickly after blooming. Place in a dry location on
screens and use a fan to direct any moisture out of the room through
a vent or window. Celosias needs full sun and a rich, composted
enriched soil to really grow the best blooms. Don't allow the soil to
dry out-water on a regular basis, but don't keep it wet. Pinch out the
first bloom to encourage more blooms on each plant. You can direct
seed after the last frost or start indoors and transplant.
Consolida ambigua (formally Delphinium ajacis)- also known as
Larkspur, prefers a light, well drained soil in full sun. It can be
direct seeded in the spring, but it's important to really prepare the
soil by raking out rocks/stones and get the soil as fine as you can
before seeding. They grow 36-48 inches tall and the blooms are in
white, purples, blue or pinks. The plants have tall, taping spikes
that should be gathered into bunches and hung upside down to dry
in an airy dark location. Harvest the flowers to dry when they are
about half open on the stem. A note: ALL parts, especially the
seeds, are toxic, so use care.
Gomphrena globosa- Globe Amaranth: Lovely globed flowers that
dry VERY easily! Several varieties available and colors. All can be
direct seeded in the spring. Plant plenty because the germination
rate isn't usually very high. Harvest the blooms just before they
completely open and dry on screens or in baskets. I thought the
darker colored varieties were nice and held the color better.
Helichrysum roseum bracteatum- Strawflowers: Direct seed
about 2 weeks after the last frost when soil is warmed. Plant in
well-drained soil in a sunny location. It will tolerate dry soil and
conditions. When the plant has partially opened-when only a few
"rings" of petals are opened on each bloom. Harvest every 2-3 days
and hang to dry in a dry, airy location. You'll find blooms that are
White, Red, Deep Burgundy, Orange/Bronze plus shades of Yellow
and Pink. The stems are weak, so for arrangements, wires are
inserted in the stems. I use them on wreaths and straw hats, so
I just glue on the blooms themselves.
Acrolinium (Helipterum roseum)- Pink and white flowers with papery
blooms similar to strawflowers. Very delicate. Direct seed in wide
rows for best and easiest harvesting. Pick when they are in bud--
NOT open at all-as they dry they will open. Hang to dry.
Limonium sinuatum- Annual Statice: Statice in a favorite everlasting
from the Mediterranean. Give it a hot, sunny location with soil on the dry
side. It should be direct seeded in the spring where it will be grown-it
doesn't like transplanting. Harvest every 2 - 3 days when flower stalks
are fully opened for the best color. They should be opened all the way
to the end of the stem, before picking. Stems that are ready to harvest
will snap off easily, immature stems will bend. Statice is very sensitive
to frost, so harvest all before.
Scabiosa stellata- known also as Starflower or Drumstick has
round blooms that shed their petals and turn into bronze papery
seedheads that can be collected and used in arrangements.
Scabiosa prolifera is known as Carmel Daisy and the seed
heads are funnel shaped and very unique also. Harvest all of
the scabiosas throughout the season to keep them blooming.
Cut the seedpods after the petals have dropped from the
blooms and hang them to dry. Plant them in full sun and a
well drained average soil.
