Craspedia spp.

billy buttons

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

HardinessZones 8–11

Overview

Craspedia spp. is a genus of about 20 species of herbs in the daisy family (Asteraceae), native to Australia and New Zealand, where they grow in alpine herbfields, grassland, and open woodland. The common names billy buttons, woollyheads, and drumsticks all refer to the rounded, globe-shaped flower heads carried on long, leafless stalks. Plants form a basal rosette of narrow, grey-green leaves that are often woolly or silky-haired, from which the flowering stalks rise 10 to 24 inches (25 to 60 cm) tall, with rosettes 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) wide. Each stalk ends in a dense, spherical head of many tiny flowers, golden-yellow in most species, 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1 to 4 cm) across. Bloom comes in spring and summer. Because the heads hold their shape and colour when dried, they are cut for fresh and dried arrangements. Plants grow on freely draining soils in full sun and tolerate dry spells, though some species are short-lived and many are sensitive to wet winter ground and hard frost.

Native Range

Native to Australia and New Zealand, in alpine herbfields, grassland, and open woodland.

Suggested Uses

Grown in rock gardens, native and water-wise borders, and containers for the round yellow heads, and the stalks are cut for fresh and dried arrangements. Suited to sunny, sharply drained sites and pollinator plantings.

How to Identify

Look for a basal rosette of narrow, grey-green, woolly or silky leaves, with long leafless stalks each topped by a dense, round, globe-shaped head of tiny golden-yellow flowers. The drumstick-like heads on bare stems are characteristic. Heads hold their form when dried.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10" - 2'

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs in spring and summer, when leafless stalks lift rounded golden-yellow heads above the rosette. Each globe-shaped head packs many tiny flowers. The heads stay colourful for an extended period and keep their shape when dried.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years to flowering size

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Most species grow in full sun on freely draining sandy or loamy soils with pH from 5.5 to 7.0. Water needs are low to medium, and established plants tolerate dry spells. Wet winter soils and hard frost cause losses, so many kinds suit roughly USDA zones 8 to 11 or are grown as annuals in colder areas. Some species are naturally short-lived and are renewed from seed. Removing spent stalks tidies the rosette.

Pruning

Spent flower stalks are cut to the base after bloom, which keeps the rosette neat and can prompt further stems. Plants grown for dried use are cut as the heads colour fully. Tattered outer leaves are removed as needed.

Pruning Schedule

summer