{"product_id":"dark-scarlet-straw-flower-xerochrysum-bracteatum-dark-scarlet","title":"Dark Scarlet Straw Flower - Xerochrysum bracteatum 'Dark Scarlet'","description":"\u003cp\u003eDark Scarlet Straw Flower (\u003cem\u003eXerochrysum bracteatum\u003c\/em\u003e 'Dark Scarlet') is a bushy Australian paper daisy that grows 50cm to 1m tall and 30cm to 60cm wide. Deep scarlet, papery flowers with golden centres sit above silvery-green foliage, and they last well in a vase or dried. It is a bold splash of colour for sunny beds and pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrue deep scarlet.\u003c\/strong\u003e The papery petals are a rich red around a bright golden centre, so the colour reads clearly against silver and green foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMonths of flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e A well grown plant keeps producing blooms over a long season in warm weather.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCut flowers that last.\u003c\/strong\u003e The stiff, papery petals hold their shape in a vase and dry well for arrangements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough once settled.\u003c\/strong\u003e It handles light frost and dry spells once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA native that feeds pollinators.\u003c\/strong\u003e Paper daisies are a favourite of bees and butterflies, which suits a wildlife friendly bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGarden beds and borders.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 40cm apart for a dense mass of colour at the front or middle of a sunny border. The bushy plants meet in a season and look best in a group of five or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e The compact habit suits a pot in full sun. Use a free draining potting mix and pinch out the tips while the plant is young to keep it bushy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA picking patch.\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow a few plants for cutting. Pick the stems when the flowers are just opening, then hang them upside down in a dry, airy spot to preserve them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Dark Scarlet Straw Flower in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun in a warm to temperate climate. It handles light frost, so it suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens. In humid summers choose an open spot with good airflow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Well drained soil is essential. It accepts poor or sandy ground, but a plant sitting in wet soil will rot at the base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch on planting and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. Afterwards it copes with dry spells. If you feed, use a low phosphorus native fertiliser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deadhead spent flower stems as needed, which keeps the plant tidy and encourages more buds. Like most paper daisies it is a short lived perennial, so expect to refresh it every few years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Dark Scarlet Straw Flower as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Expect a small plant on arrival that bushes out before it flowers heavily. Plant it into a sunny, well drained spot soon after it arrives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tube comes from our grower and is not always in supply. When it shows as sold out, use the notify button on this page and you will get an email the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/discover-native-plants-with-red-flowers-for-your-garden\"\u003eNative plants with red flowers for your garden\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/australian-natives\"\u003eMore Australian native plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bee-and-butterfly-plants\"\u003ePlants that attract bees and butterflies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ePlants that thrive in pots\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I dry the flowers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut the stems when the flowers are just opening, strip the lower leaves and hang the bunch upside down in a dry, airy, shaded spot for a couple of weeks. The petals keep their colour well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it come back every year?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a short lived perennial, so it usually lasts a few seasons. Deadheading and cutting it back lightly after the main flush helps it live longer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Choose a pot with drainage holes, a free draining mix and a position in full sun, and water it more often than a plant in the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790893056319,"sku":"XER-BRA-DARKSC-tube","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/dark-scarlet-straw-flower-xerochrysum-bracteatum-dark-scarlet.jpg?v=1792211506","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/dark-scarlet-straw-flower-xerochrysum-bracteatum-dark-scarlet","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}