GREENGOLD GARDEN CONCEPTS
CARE AND MAINTENANCE NOTES

FLANNEL FLOWERS

"There is always a sort of magic about Flannel Flowers, whether you find just one plant or a whole field of them."

-Nuri Mass

The flannel flower is botanically called Actinotus which means "in the form of rays".. There are fifteen species in the genus Actinotus, fourteen of which are endemic to Australia, occurring in all States in a wide range of soil and climate types. One is found in New Zealand.

Actinotus belong to the family Apiaceae which is the family of well known vegetables and herbs such as celery, carrots, parsley and aniseed. People are generally surprised to find this link with such well known and seemingly different plants.

The family used to be known as Umbelliferae, because the flowers, known as umbels, have tiny stalks and spread out from the same point like umbrella spokes. This is more obvious in the kitchen garden plants than in the flannel flowers.

In the flannel flower what we refer to as the petals are modified leaves called bracts. With a magnifying glass you can see the tiny blooms in the centre of a flannel flower covered with silky hairs. They are organised into three areas which flower one after the other.

The leaves and stems are also woolly. Each closely packed hair is a cell which acts as an air bag to help protect the plant from the heat and cut down its rate of moisture loss.

All Actinotus are known as flannel flowers but the best known is Actinotus helianthi. "Helos" relates to the sun and "helianthi" means "like a sunflower". It is called the SYDNEY FLANNEL FLOWER though it actually occurs from central and south eastern Queensland down to the south coast and western slopes of NSW.

It is found in full sun or semi-shade on shallow sandy soils and in rocky areas. In sheltered, fertile areas they grow up to one metre but are more compact on headlands and exposed sites. They flower from late winter or early spring into early autumn. There is an enormous range of flower shapes and sizes.

A very similar rare species, Actinotus schwarzii, occurs in the McDonnell Ranges of the Northern Territory, growing mainly on precipitous cliff faces: The most promising WA species is A.leucocephalus. A. minor is a delicate spreading plant with tiny flowers less than 12mm in diameter most of the year.

Flannel flowers are predominantly white, cream or greenish in color but the very rare A. forsythii from the upper Blue Mountains has pinkish-purple flowers. It appears sporadically and is to be considered an annual. A. paddisonii is a rare species with green flowers from Bourke.

GROWING THE SYDNEY FLANNEL FLOWER

IN THE GARDEN flannel flowers can grow in a variety of positions, provided the soil is freely draining, not too rich and there is some sun. They like the protection of other plants. A rockery garden is an ideal situation. In frosty areas you will need plants propagated from a colder area like the Blue Mountains.

They respond well to pruning to improve flowering and prevent the plants from becoming too leggy. Cut off the spent heads unless you wish to collect the seed or encourage self-seeding.

IN POTS flannel flowers will grow on a sunny patio or balcony or as a temporary house plant display. To encourage good drainage one recommendation is a mixture of 1 part peat and 2 parts sand. Another suggestion is a mixture of sand, perlite and peat in the proportions 10:4:3. If you use coir fibre instead of peat use less than you would of peat because it holds water better.

Feed with slow release low phosphorous fertiliser and an occasional iron supplement to avoid yellowing.

If properly cared for potted plants may last up to three years.

AS CUT FLOWERS : Flannel flowers show great promise as cut flowers, especially for the commercial market. The texture of the soft silvery- gray foliage is attractive and complements the flower heads. Their stems are a good length and the blooms have a long vase life, providing the stems are placed directly into water after cutting. Pick the blooms when the lower flowers on the umbel are just beginning to open. The flannel flower is extremely attractive in floral arrangements and is particularly suited to wedding bouquets. It dries well if picked before seed forms and it presses well.

PROPAGATION OF FLANNEL FLOWERS

SEED GERMINATION

In the wild A. helianthi plants live for about four years. They are pollinated by a number of pollinators such as beetles, flies, wasps and possibly moths but not usually bees which like yellow to orange flowers.

After flowering the bracts close around the umbel. When the seed is ripe the bracts fall off, making the plants look rather like a dandelion, and the seed is dispersed on the wind.

If you want to collect seed, test the bracts. If they pull off the flower head easily, the seed is ready to pick.

Germination is not reliable. Sometimes they respond easily and sometimes not at all. Do not give up on seeds too soon. Seed dormancy is a plant adaptation to protect the seed from germinating in unfavourable conditions.

From scientific experiments, stored, older seed appears to germinate more readily than fresh seed, though some authorities say that seed sown immediately it is picked will germinate readily. Collect the seed in summer and store for 4-6 months, then sow at approx. C15 degrees. Some authorities recommend overburning the seed - sow the seed, cover with a layer of dried leaves and ignite.

CUTTINGS

Flannel flowers are easily propagated from cuttings taken from cultivated plants. Tip cuttings are best. The root system is very delicate and care must be taken with potting on.

FLANNEL FLOWERS' RELATIONS

There are other plants in the family Apiaceae which should find a place in a native garden.

The genus XANTHOSIA has about 20 endemic species. Xanthosia rotundifolia, the "Southern Cross", is a striking plant, sprawling, with dark green, rounded toothed leaves. It grows to about 30 cm high by about 50 cm across. Flowering can be throughout the year but mainly late winter to November. It has a unique cream flower head with decorative bracts which form a cross, hence its common name. It will grow in most soils with some shade. Other species in cultivation are smaller but interesting: X. dissecta, X. pilosa, X. tomentosa.

PLATYSACE is an endemic genus with about 20 species. P. linearifolia is a slender plant a a with very fine leaves and white flowers. It makes a soft contrast in the garden and as a filler in flower arrangements. Hardy. Propagate by cuttings. P. lanceolata is sometimes available in nurseries.It is found over a wide area of eastern Australia. The leaves are broader and the greenish white flower head is larger: The bracts are often tinged an attractive pink.

ACIPHYLLA Alpine Celery A. glacialis from the Kosciusko Ranges was almost eaten out by grazing cattle until the area was protected. It has masses of tiny white flowers and highly attractive fern-like, needle pointed foliage. Needs to be moist but well-drained. An ideal container plant.

TRACHYXENE These have dainty pincushion heads of tubular flowers in shades of white pink or blue. Useful as cut flowers. They make an attractive display in a mass planting in an open, sunny but protected position. T. caerulea is the WA Rottnest Daisy. An annual, if the seed is sown in autumn, it will form a bush to 20 cm or more. For effect several should be planted. They readily re-seed. The summer flowers are blue to 5 cm.