Xeranthemum bracteatum 'Lumina Double Mixed'

Xeranthemum 'Lumina' is a hardy annual, one of the prettiest of everlasting flowers; they are simply charming in borders with an abundance of 1 to 2 inch wide, dainty blossoms in four distinct colours of white, rose, crimson and purple.
The attractive double crested paper-like blooms stand gracefully aloft strong stems of silver-green foliage and have a papery feel. They are excellent for cutting, and if dried are useful for winter decoration

The Immortelle begins to bloom in early summer and continues through summer, they have a branching habit and are free-flowering right through to autumn. The flowers stay open on cloudy weather.
They will thrive even in poor soil and are perennial in frost free areas, where the temperature doesn't go below -1°C (30°F)
This Award winning flower is an easy, fast growing annual, perfect as a border filler and an excellent Everlasting flower!

Xeranthemum bracteatum 'Lumina Double Mixed' is a Fleuroselect Award Winner.

Sowing: Sow in early spring indoors or direct sow once all risk of frost has passed
Choose a position with a well-drained soil that is moist to on the dry side; they will tolerate drought and do well in dry, infertile soils. They should be exposed to the sun half the day or more

Sowing Indoors:
Sow into individual pots or trays of seed compost. Use well drained soil and cover lightly. Keep the compost moist. Germination will take place in 7 to 14 days. Prick out to individual pots, transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots or trays.
Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out in growing position after the last expected frosts. Space 25 to 30cm (10 to 12in) apart.

Sowing Direct:
Prepare the ground well and rake to a fine tilth. If sowing more than one annual in the same bed, mark the sowing areas with a ring of sand and label. Add a complete fertiliser.
Sow 5mm (¼ in) deep in rows 7cm (3in) apart. Sow sparingly or they will choke out other seedlings. Keep soil moist during germination.
The seedlings will appear in rows approx 3 to 4 weeks after planting and can be easily told from nearby weed seedlings. Thin the seedlings out as necessary so they are finally 25 to 30cm (10 to 12in) apart. Carefully replant thinned plants.

Cultivation:
Feed with a fertiliser low in phosphorus. Water regularly. Do not allow the soil to become bone dry, or the plant will die.
A moist soil is better, but it needs good drainage, established plants can take some drought.
Remove spent flowers to encourage further blooming

Dried Flowers:
The Double Mix Immortelle is essential for dried flowers bouquets and wreaths. Cut when the buds begin to open. Hang them by the stem in a shady dry area for a couple of weeks before being used. If they are left to dry on the plant, they turn tan or light brown so need to be cut and left to dry with their heads down.

Nomenclature:
Named by Linnaeus in 1753, Xeranthemum means literally 'dry flower'.
It is often called in English 'Everlasting' or 'Strawflower' (and in Dutch 'Strobloem' ) both of which are used for other flowers, including Helichrysum bracteatum, which also makes a wonderful dried flower.