Helichrysum bracteatum – Purple Red: a striking, rich strawflower for fresh and dried flower creations

Helichrysum bracteatum Purple Red, also known as strawflower, everlasting flower, or immortelle, is a vigorous variety with a deep, rich purple-red color. This intense hue makes the flower perfect for both fresh bouquets and dried arrangements, making it a popular choice for florists, hobby gardeners, and cut flower enthusiasts seeking long-lasting color and eye-catching effects.

The papery petals and sturdy stems make the flowers both decorative and practical. Purple Red combines robustness with beauty, making it ideal for a wide range of floral designs, from modern bouquets to traditional field bouquets.

Deep, rich color for striking arrangements

Purple Red's flowers immediately draw attention with their deep purple-red color. The papery surface of the petals gives the flower a unique texture, while the rich color creates a dramatic effect in bouquets, wreaths, and three-dimensional floral arrangements.

Purple Red is a versatile flower that combines well with other Helichrysum varieties or with cut flowers in warm or cool shades, such as yellow, orange, pink, or white. This creates harmonious yet vibrant arrangements that remain impressive whether fresh or dried.

Perfect for fresh and dried flower creations

Fresh cut flowers

• Sturdy flowers with a long vase life.

• The deep purple-red hue gives an elegant and intense accent.

• Ideal for combination bouquets, field bouquets and flower arrangements with a rich, warm appearance.

Dried flowers

• Helichrysum retains its shape and colour exceptionally well after drying.

• Purple Red is perfect for dried bouquets, wreaths, flower clouds, wall decorations, and creative interior projects.

• Harvesting when the flower is about two-thirds open ensures optimal shape and colour.

Cultivation characteristics and ease of cultivation

Helichrysum bracteatum Purple Red is a profusely flowering and easy-to-grow variety, suitable for both professional growers and hobbyists. The plant thrives in sunny conditions and is naturally drought-tolerant, making it a reliable choice for cut and dried flower production.

Important cultivation characteristics

• Height: 80–100 cm

• Location: full sun

• Soil: well-drained, slightly nutritious

• Water requirement: moderate, tolerates drought

• Flowering period: June to October

• Uses: cut flower, dried flower, picking garden, ornamental border

Pinching young shoots and harvesting regularly encourages branching and continuous flowering. This results in abundantly flowering plants with multiple flowers per plant throughout the season.

Versatile applications in gardens, picking gardens and landscapes

Purple Red isn't just suitable for floral arrangements; it also makes a beautiful accent in gardens, borders, and cutting gardens. The intense purple-red hue attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies and creates a vibrant contrast with green-leaved plants or lighter flowers.

Ideal applications:

• Pick-a-Pick Gardens

• Summer borders and prairie planting

• Dried flower fields

• Educational and demonstration gardens

• Mediterranean or country garden styles

Thanks to its compact growth and rich flowering, a uniform and professional-looking field of colour is created that immediately stands out.

Why choose Helichrysum bracteatum Purple Red?

• Deep, rich purple-red colour for striking bouquets

• Exceptionally suitable for drying, with long-lasting colour retention

• Firm, papery petals and straight stems

• Richly flowering and easy to grow

• Ideal for fresh bouquets, dried flowers and picking gardens

• Attracts pollinators and supports biodiversity

• Versatile in use in garden, picking garden and interior decoration

Discover all Helichrysum varieties at Easyseed

Besides Purple Red, Easyseed offers a wide range of Helichrysum colors—from intense yellow, lemon yellow, and orange to soft pink, cream, and mixed shades. Perfect for combining in bouquets, cut-flower gardens, or dried flower projects for long-lasting and colorful floral creations.