A clumping native perennial sending up slender stems topped with perfectly round golden flower balls in spring and summer. A quirky, long-lasting cut flower beloved by florists.
At a glance
- Plant type: Perennial
- Mature size: 60 cm H × 30 cm W
- Aspect: full sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Billy Buttons
Botanically, Craspedia globosa is a perennial in the Asteraceae family, native to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. It reaches around 60 cm tall and 30 cm wide at maturity, with silver-grey foliage. Yellow flowers appear in spring and summer.
Where to grow Billy Buttons
Billy Buttons suits cool-temperate, warm-temperate and Mediterranean climates and grows best in full sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also is a genuinely water-wise choice and is usually left alone by rabbits.
Soil & planting
Billy Buttons does best in free-draining and sandy soil. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool.
Watering & feeding
Billy Buttons performs well with relatively little water once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. New plantings need closer moisture checks in hot or windy weather, with watering tapered once strong new growth appears.
Pruning & care
Prune Billy Buttons after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Once established, it is low maintenance.
Using Billy Buttons in the garden
Billy Buttons earns its place for cut flowers for the vase, pots and courtyard containers and feeding bees and pollinators. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
For easier irrigation and care, group Billy Buttons with species that also favour low water use and cool-temperate climate. Leave enough room for the mature spread so neighbouring plants are not crowded out. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Billy Buttons
Plant Sale lists Billy Buttons as tube stock, potted plants, advanced specimens and seed. Catalogue forms are planning guidance until the Plant Sale team confirms live availability.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Billy Buttons seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.
