A soft grey-felted wildflower bearing daisy-like cream flowers with green-tipped petals that feel like flannel. A treasured short-lived perennial for sandy coastal gardens and cut flowers.
At a glance
- Plant type: Perennial
- Mature size: 60 cm H × 50 cm W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: tender
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Flannel Flower
Actinotus helianthi is a perennial in the Apiaceae family, native to New South Wales and Queensland. It reaches around 60 cm tall and 50 cm wide at maturity, with silver-grey foliage. White and cream green flowers appear for much of the year.
Where to grow Flannel Flower
Flannel Flower suits warm-temperate and subtropical climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost tender, so protect it from hard frosts or grow it in a sheltered spot or pot. It also is a genuinely water-wise choice, tolerates salt-laden coastal winds and is a sought-after collector's plant.
Soil & planting
Flannel Flower does best in sandy, free-draining and poor soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in.
Watering & feeding
Flannel Flower performs well with relatively little water once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. During the first growing season, water deeply whenever the upper soil begins to dry, then reduce the frequency as roots establish.
Pruning & care
Prune Flannel Flower after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. For most gardens, it is low maintenance.
Using Flannel Flower in the garden
Flannel Flower earns its place for cut flowers for the vase, pots and courtyard containers and a feature or specimen planting. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
Flannel Flower sits most comfortably beside plants adapted to low water use and warm-temperate climate. A small cluster gives stronger visual impact than isolated plants scattered through the garden. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Flannel Flower
Plant Sale lists Flannel Flower as tube stock, potted plants, advanced specimens and seed. Use the quote builder above to ask about current stock, sizes and pricing.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Flannel Flower seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.
