How to Grow Flannel Flowers

Flannel flowers (Actinotus helianthi) are delightful Australian natives that add softness to any garden with their velvety white flowers and silvery grey foliage. They make a wonderful addition to rockeries, cottage gardens or planted in large drifts in a native garden. They'll happily grow in pots as well which makes them perfect for balconies and courtyards. Try teaming them up with the soft mauve flowers of the native brachyscome daisies for a stunning combination. Just gorgeous!

There are other species of flannel flowers but Actinotus helianthi (and its cultivars) are the most commonly available type.

Flannel flowers are short lived natives that grow in full sun or part shade in just about all areas of Australia except for the tropics. They handle light frosts and benefit from wind protection as their branches are quite brittle. If you live in a very cold location think of them as an annual to enjoy during the warmer months.

They grow naturally in sandy, coastal positions and don't like having wet feet. This means you need to plant into free draining soil to prevent rot problems. If your soil is not free draining then mound up the beds beforehand and work in some gypsum to help break up any clay. Do not attempt to grow them in soil which is compacted and drains poorly. Go for pots instead.

Flannel flowers can be grown from seedlings / young plants or seeds. To grow from seed (which should be less than six months old), fill small pots or trays with Yates Specialty Potting Mix Cuttings & Seeds. Sow seeds over the surface of the mix (don't cover), firm down and water well. Keep the mix moist so the seeds don't dry out. Smoke treatment of seeds, using 'smokewater', is a common recommendation to improve germination. Follow the directions for use on the smokewater label. 

While the seedlings are growing, choose a sunny, wind-protected spot in the garden with very well-drained soil (Flannel flowers do not tolerate wet soil) and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Plant Food & Soil Improver Pellets. It helps build healthier soil, promotes plant growth and is suitable for Australian native plants.  

Once seedlings have emerged (it can take many months for seeds to germinate, so patience is required!) and they have established a small root system, they can be very gently transplanted into their final position, around 20 cm apart. Flannel flowers don't like root disturbance, so careful transplanting is required. 

Flannel flowers have a shallow root system. Keep the soil just moist but not wet. Regular feeding with a fertiliser suitable for Australian native plants will help promote healthy growth and flowering. Yates Dynamic Lifter Plant Food & Soil Improver pellets can be scattered around the root zone every spring and autumn. Or apply Click & Grow Yates Dynamic Lifter Plant Food & Soil Improver every one to three weeks. 

Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms and keep the plant tidy. If plants develop yellow leaves at the base of the stems, these can be removed with secateurs.

Flannel Flowers are usually short-lived perennials, so it's best to think about starting the next generation of plants after around 12 months.

Flannel flowers can be grown from seedlings / young plants or seeds. To grow from seed (which should be less than six months old), fill small pots or trays with Yates Specialty Potting Mix Cuttings & Seeds. Sow seeds over the surface of the mix (don't cover), firm down and water well. Keep the mix moist so the seeds don't dry out. Smoke treatment of seeds, using 'smokewater', is a common recommendation to improve germination. Follow the directions for use on the smokewater label. 

Choose a pot, around 20 - 30 cm in diameter, which has excellent drainage. Fill with a quality potting mix like Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Place the pot in a sunny, wind protected position that receives at least four hours of direct sunlight a day. 

Once seedlings have emerged (it can take many months for seeds to germinate, so patience is required!) and they have established a small root system, they can be very gently transplanted into their final position in the pot. Flannel flowers don't like root disturbance, so careful transplanting is required. 

Keep the potting mix just moist. Regular feeding with a fertiliser suitable for Australian native plants will help promote healthy growth and flowering. Yates Dynamic Lifter Plant Food & Soil Improver pellets can be scattered over the potting mix every spring and autumn.

Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage more blooms and keep the plant tidy. If plants develop yellow leaves at the base of the stems, these can be removed with secateurs.

Flannel Flowers are usually short-lived perennials, so it's best to think about starting the next generation of plants after around 12 months.

• Flannel flowers are short lived natives that grow in full sun or part shade in just about all areas of Australia except for the tropics. 
• They handle light frosts and benefit from wind protection as their branches are quite brittle. If you live in a very cold location think of them as an annual to enjoy during the warmer months.
• Stems of Flannel Flowers can be brittle, so they should be grown in a wind-protected position. 
• For cut flowers, it's best to pick stems in the cool of the early morning. Remove any foliage that will sit below the water line in the vase. 
• Flannel Flowers can be affected by caterpillars, which chew through leaves. At the first sign of caterpillars or their damage, spray plants with OCP eco-caterpillar killer. 
• Aphids can also affect Flannel Flowers. These small sap sucking insects, which can be black, grey, brown, yellow or green, can cluster along stems and underneath leaves, causing leaves to yellow and curl and plant health to suffer. At the first sign of aphids, spray plants with OCP eco-insect killer.