Ammobium alatum

RHS Plant Profile
everlasting sandflower

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Other common names

winged everlasting, winged-stalked sandflower

Synonyms

Ammobium grandiflorum hort.

Annual Biennial
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A half-hardy annual to a height of around 60cm, with pale green, narrow oval leaves with a white downy coating. Single, silvery-white, daisy-like double flowers with prominent bright yellow centres appear on upright green, winged stems from June through to September. Ideal for cutting and for using in dried flower arrangements. Attracts bees, hoverflies and predatory wasps

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
Genus
Ammobium are upright annuals, usually grown as annuals, with simple, white-hairy leaves, and stiff, winged stems bearing clusters of papery everlasting flowerheads to 2.5cm across, in summer
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in preferably sandy, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Water during dry periods, but avoid over-watering as will not tolerate wet soils

Propagation

Sow indoors into moist but well-drained, peat-free compost and keep at 15°C until germination, which is generally in around 10 to 15 days. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle and grow on, hardening off in a cold frame or greenhouse before planting out in a sheltered, sunny position in moist but well-drained soil when the risk of frost has passed. Prefers a sandy, humus-rich soil, but will cope with most soils as long as they are well-drained

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower heads to encourage more. Remove and compost at the end of the season

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to rots and fungal diseases if roots become waterlogged