Xerochrysum bracteatum Monstrosum Series

RHS Plant Profile
everlasting Monstrosum Series

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Synonyms

Xerochrysum bracteatum 'Monstrosa'
Bracteantha bracteata 'Monstrosa'

Annual Biennial

An upright annual with strap-like narrow green leaves to around 90cm in height. Unusually textured, double, everlasting flower-heads to 1.5cm across, in shades of crimson-red, salmon and rose pink, brown, yellow and white, appear in summer and autumn. Ideal for dried flower arrangements

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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)
H2

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
Xerochrysum are erect annuals with large, papery everlasting flower-heads suitable for dried flower arrangement
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 18°C in spring. Self-seeds, so harvest these or dig up seedlings and grow on

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews