DIVISION OF HORTICULTURE 305 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Everlasting Flowers 



BY 



F. E. BucTc, B.S.A., Assistant in Ornamental Gardening. 



Amongst popular annual flowers grown in -European countries, those known as 

 ' Everlastings ' hold a conspicuous place. They retain their shape, colours, etc., after 

 being dried, and will last for months, even several years, when gathered at the right 

 stage. 



In France, the French Immortelles (Helichrysum arenarium, and the Xeran- 

 themums) are used extensively in the manufacture of memorial wreaths and crosses. 

 Large quantities of these and other varieties known under the same general name of 

 ' Everlastings ' are exported from both France and Germany to all parts of the world. 

 In some instances, the flowers are bleached white and then dyed in various colours. 



In 1912, a collection of the seed of these flowers was ordered from two well-known 

 seed firms, and sown with the seeds of other annuals under test for that season. 

 Amongst the collection of several hundred varieties of annual flowers, the ' Ever- 

 lastings ' grew as luxuriantly as most, gave more blossoms per plant than most, and 

 continued in flower for a longer period than the majority of the others. 



The varieties grown were as follows : — 



1. Helichrysum. . . 



The ' Common Everlasting ' of English and American gardens, Heli- 

 chrysum hracteatum) selected varieties in six colours, viz., golden yellow, pink, 

 scarlet or red, silver white, purple and cream or buff. It is generally considered that 

 these do best in a sandy type of soil. They were planted (as were all the everlastings) 

 in a sandy soil. A good supply of rain fell in 1912 and the Ilelichrysums not only 

 grew taller than usual but bloomed most profusely during a period of two to three 

 months. Repeated cutting encouraged further growth. The flowers of the Helichry- 

 sums are from one to two and a half inches across and resemble slightly the annual 

 asters. • Height, three feet to five feet. 



2. Acroclinium. 



These are ' Everlastings ' somewhat resembling a large daisy. The plants grow 

 about fifteen inches to eighteen inches high. They are to be had in two colours, 

 white, and a pretty shade of rose pink. They are sold as singles and doubles, but at 

 Ottawa nearly all the flowers have come either double or semi-double. The flowers 

 are produced singly on stalks growing from the base of the plant. For this reason, 

 it is easy to cut them with long stems and at the right stage for drying. They are 

 less stiff-looking than the Ilelichrysums and quite pleasing in appearance as a cut 

 flower in vases. They are also quite useful grown as ordinary flowers in borders and 

 by picking off the old heads may be kept in bloom for ten weeks or more. The flowers 

 vary from three-fourths of an inch to one and a half inches across. 



3. Bhodanthe. 



This little ' Everlasting ' does not grow much over a foot high, but it has a 

 European reputation because of its graceful habit of growth. The nodding heads, 

 pink in colour, on long pedicels retain their grace when dried. The flowers are about 

 three-quarters of an inch across. The blooming season is not so long as of the two 

 former ' Everlastings,' about eight weeks being the limit. It does well, and looks well, 

 grown in either borders or beds. 



16—20 



