Acroclinium roseum Pierrot Red seeds - Everlasting

The seeds of 'Pierrot Red' Acroclinium, known by its Latin name Helipterum roseum, develop into flowers with a glossy paper-like texture in red-pink colour. This Australian everlasting blooms throughout the summer in double heads, resembling daisies, beautifully contrasted by a black centre, some with a golden centre. They rise above a grey-green foliage of helichrysum. Cultivated as annuals, these tender plants from arid lands withstand drought and heat. They are perfect in planters, borders, and of course in dry or fresh bouquets.

The Australian everlasting, sometimes called Rhodanthe chlorocephale subsp rosea, or more poetically rose everlasting, is a frost-tender perennial plant of the Asteraceae family, just like daisies and asters. It originates from Southwest Australia, under the influence of a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers, similar to that of the southeastern France. This fast-growing plant, mostly grown as an annual in our climates, is particularly suited to harsh conditions and drought. Plants from this selection grow in clumps of stems branching from the base, with leaves, reaching about 50 cm in height, whose bushy silhouette is overall similar to that of curry plant (Helichrysum italicum). The slender, elongated foliage covering the branches is silver-green. Flowering occurs from July to October, in the form of 5 cm diameter heads. These inflorescences are very sculptural, with a double collar made of dry, pearly bracts, reflecting light, around a yellow or black heart circled in yellow. They tend to close in overcast weather.

The Australian everlasting is ideal for borders, sunny beds, and rockeries, provided the soil is well-drained. Place this plant in the foreground and combine it with Californian poppies that also prefer poor soils. It blends perfectly with mugworts or shrubby salvias in a dry garden. Everlasting also thrives in pots and planters. Its flower buds already offer decorative appeal. It is perfect for creating refined fresh or dry bouquets. To make dry bouquets, it is advisable to pick the flowers before they fully bloom, tie them with raffia and hang them upside down in a dark, cool, dry, and well-ventilated place.