AboutTom Alonzo Expertise I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.
Experience I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.
Question Tom
We've had straw flowers in a pot outside all summer-we live in Indiana- now my wife is asking me if they are perennials-I have no idea but if they are would you please tell me how to care for them so we'll be able to enjoy them next summer
Thanks
Don
Answer Hi Don,
Thanx for your question. If you're talking about Helichrysum which is the most common strawflower here in the U.S., that flower is an annual. Annuals complete their life cycle in one season where as perennials can live from a few years to many, many years.
Save the seed or buy new seed next year and plant lightly covered with soil. Keep moist but not soggy. Plant after the last frost. Or start indoors under lights about 6 weeks before the last frost. The culture is the same as zinnias. Strawflowers are also known as everlastings and can be used in dried bouquets. I hope this helps.
Tom
