In the autumn cold season, the only flowers that delight the eye with their bright colors are dried flowers. They are known among the people as immortals, while their scientific name is helihrizum. Growers from the seeds of this plant by gardeners are usually in large-flowered form. The flowers got their name due to the shape of the inflorescence box and the bright color, because from the Greek language it literally translates as “golden sun”. And people call them immortelle only because in a dried state they keep their color and shape for a long time. Now the most common are undersized species of dried flowers Helichrysum. Growing from the seeds of these immortals is carried out with the aim of forming all kinds of artistic compositions, as well as landscaping borders and flower beds. Such popularity can be explained by the fact that, despite a small growth of up to 30 cm, bright inflorescences have a rather large diameter, reaching 2 cm, and the flowering itself lasts until September.
Australia is considered the birthplace of Helichrysum flowers. Their cultivation in Europe was begun after the import of seeds from this country. Despite the fact that they are perennial plants, only annual varieties are grown in our climate. The ribbed stalk of helihrizum reaches a height of 120 cm and branches in its upper part. Baskets of inflorescences in diameter reach 7 cm, and narrow leaves are painted in dark green. Around the inflorescences of the plant are dry petals, which bend to the inside with their edges. As for the color palette, it is characterized by a wide variety. Dry flower seeds ripen in the month of August.
Helichrysum cultivation
Now a few words directly about the propagation of flowers of gelichrysum. Growing from seeds begins with their sowing in the end of March or early April in the greenhouse. In less than a week they should rise, and after a fortnight the plant is dived. In the second half of May, seedlings can be transferred to a permanent place in open soil. When planting, it is very important not to damage the root system of the dried flower, so it must be done very carefully. Seedlings should be at a distance of about 30 cm from each other. If the weather is hot, it is recommended to create a shadow for each of them. At the very end of the planting, it is necessary to water the helichrism abundantly. Growing seedlings from seeds is very widespread, because in this case the first flowers on it will appear in July. Immortelle can also be sown directly in open soil. This is done in the second half of April. In this case, when seedlings appear, they are thinned out with a hoe. This method is considered simpler, but the plant will begin to bloom only at the end of August.
Immortelle Care
The plant does not need much attention. Helichrysum, whose photo is given in the article, is very resistant to both cold and drought. Fertile soil without excess moisture is most suitable for this plant. When caring for the immortelle, one should remember that he really loves bright light. During the summer, it is necessary to perform cutting several times, as well as dressing the plant with mullein. As a result, beautiful flowers grow, which in cold weather are used for spectacular and vibrant compositions.