By all rights, strawflower growing season should be well and truly finished by March. But these little pretties just kept on blooming up here in the Dandenongs this year, right up until late May.
A firm favourite in many Fern Grove Florals designs, this variety is called Silvery Rose. An Australian native, these lovelies also goes by the name paper daisy and everlasting daisy.
They are perfect for drying and will retain the same colour and shape for years and years. For best results, harvest when buds are plump and just starting to open ( like the small bloom in this pic). Remove foliage and place in a vase of water to admire fresh for a week or so.
Once stems begin to droop, you can hang them upside down in a dark, well ventilated spot for a few weeks until fully dried. To store, lay flat in a shoebox lined with tissue paper or simply place straight into a vase and enjoy all year round!