A Guide About Helichrysum Flower

The best known of the helichrysums is the annual species Helichrysum bracteatum, whose flowers have the dubious distinction of being equally attractive dead or alive. They are, in fact, the classic Victorian everlasting flowers, used frequently during that period to make wreaths for cemeteries—an arrangement of the dried flowers often protected under glass. They were also used for decoration inside during the winter, and to many the flowers certainly recall massive ormolu clocks, velvet runners on the mantelpiece, antimacassars, and heavy glass paperweights in which a single flower was perpetually imprisoned. The French gave the flowers the appropriate name, Immortelle, for they certainly last a remarkably long time: each blossom retains its colour and form almost indefinitely. The plants and the flowers do, however, also have a more cheerful role, and in the summer garden a bed of the multi-coloured H. bracteatum hybrids can be extremely attractive. Devotees of present-day flower arrangements have also lately discovered the value of the blooms in their compositions.

Among their numerous characteristics hefichrysums have a consider- able versatility of form, habit, and use. Helichrysum bracteatum is an attractive annual providing excellent flowers for cutting and drying. Helichrysum bellidioides is a lovely little perennial suited to the rock- garden and to dry walls, or for planting between paving or at the side of stone steps, where the minute silvery-coloured foliage and tiny "everlasting" white flowers will provide a most pleasing effect in summer. Helichrysum Stoechas is a perennial during hot, dry, sunny weather it gives out an agreeable aromatic fragrance which recalls curry.

Although many of the helichrysums are of Mediterranean origin, the genus as a whole has a wide distribution which includes Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Altogether there are about five hundred species, but only a relatively small number are of garden value. The genus was named by Vaillant but the first species introduced into European gardens was Helichrysum orientale, in 1629. Cultivation of Helichrysum arenarium began in 1739, and Helichrysum bracteatum made its debut in 1799, rapidly becoming the most popular species of the genus. The name Helichrysum is taken from the Greek, helios (sun) and chrysous (golden), and signifies "golden like the sun", referring to the golden scale-like bracts characteristic of the flowers.

Helichrysums also have medicinal properties and have been used in folk medicine. The flower heads of both Helichrysum italicum and Helichrysum Stoechas contain a substance which has been employed in the treatment of colds. In Southern Europe and the Caucasus, Helichrysum arenarium has been used as a diuretic and in the treatment of certain skin diseases. When cooked, the young shoots of Helichrysum cochinchinensis constitute one of the ingredients of a North Vietnamese dish with a rice base called barh khuc, which is much esteemed. In South Africa Helichrysum serpyllifolium leaves are infused to make a beverage called Hottentot tea. Modern, more scientific medicine has also shown some interest in helichrysums. Relatively recent research seems to have demonstrated that the active principle contained in Helichrysum italicum may have some useful action as an antibiotic.

Cultivation. The garden cultivation of helichrysums does not present any difficulty. The plants require a position in full sun, in a light, well- drained, warm, preferably alkaline soil; while the presence of stones and crushed rock is an advantage. The seed of annual Helichrysum bracteatum can be sown in coldframes or in an unheated greenhouse from the end of February to April; planting out the seedlings in April—May. Seed can also be sown in the open in April—May. The flowering season lasts from June to October, according to the date of sowing. The herbaceous perennial species can be propagated by division in spring or autumn, or from soft cuttings taken in spring and rooted in sandy soil in a closed frame or under a glass bell-jar or transparent plastic. Otherwise they, too, can be grown from seed sown in pots in a greenhouse or frame in spring. The herbaceous perennial species are fairly hardy and will tolerate a certain amount of frost if other conditions are favourable; but apart from severe cold, their greatest enemy is excessive moisture.

If the flowers of Helichrysum bracteatum are being grown for cutting and drying, the blooms should be gathered before they have completely expanded. The flowers and their stalks should be cut at the main stem, tied into small bunches, and hung from the stems in a shady but ventilated position such as an open shed until the flowers are quite dry, when the bloom and its stalk can be detached from the stem and used as desired.

Helichrysum bellidioides Willd.

Native to New Zealand. A herbaceous perennial only, semi-woody, with a prostrate spreading habit. Hardy in temperate climates but not tolerant of severe cold . The minute leaves are oval-spatulate, up to in. long, silver on the upper surface, tomentose on the undersurface. Flowers are terminal, solitary, single, about in. in diameter, pure white, and everlasting. A lovely little plant that loves a hot, dry, sunny position, and worthy of much wider cultivation.

Helichrysum bracteatum Andr.

Native to Australia, and practically the only species widely grown in gardens. It is a tall, robust, branching annual with glabrous leafy stems. Leaves entire, large, oblong-lanceolate, pointed, attached directly to the stem, bright green. Flowers terminal, yellow or orange in diameter. Excellent for cutting and for drying. The species is variable in its flower colours. The following varieties are worthy of note:

The var. macranthum is a very large-flowered form with blooms up to ins, in diameter. The Helichrysum bracteatum cultivated in gardens are, however, a mixture of hybrid origin, also with a wide range of colours and large long-lasting flowers.

Helichrysum petiolatum D.C.

Native to South Africa. An interesting herbaceous perennial for mild climates in a hot, dry, sunny position. Excellent for beds and borders or for cultivation in large pots or boxes. Its attractive woolly foliage is ovate, the leaves becoming wider at their base. The flowers, borne on branching stems, are creamy white and measure , in diameter. The centre disc is yellow. Generally more attractive as a foliage plant than for its flowers. Old specimens develop an almost woody shrub-like habit at the base and the stems become woolly. It is not tolerant of frost.

Helichrysum Stoechas D.C.

Native to the Mediterranean regions, where it is generally found in dry, stony, hot, sunny positions. Leaves linear, very narrow, covered with a white wool on the undersurface and green on the upper surface. Gives off a pleasing aromatic fragrance if bruised or even touched, and is also fragrant in very hot sunny weather. Flowers in terminal corymbs, globose, up to in. in diameter, vivid yellow.

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