# Pink & White Everlastings (Rhodanthe chlorocephala)

Australian native seed packet from Native Seed Co.

- Price: A$12.00 per 1 packet, AUD incl. GST
- Availability: in stock
- Shop page: https://www.nativeseedco.org/product/540
- SKU: NSC-540
- Packet contents: approx. 30 seeds

Pink & White Everlasting is a vibrant annual flower that is seen across the sandplains and open woodland of Western Australia. During wildflower season, it’s common to see carpets of pink everlastings across the open landscape after a heavy rain. The flower itself has white through to deep pink bracts with a vibrant yellow head. Because the flower is made up of papery bracts, rather than petals, the flower never wilts — hence ‘everlasting’. The stem is slender to upright, 30-60cm. These seeds are covered with fine feathery bristles, and within is the 2-3 mm slim, brown seed. You don’t need to remove the fluffy coating before planting. Sow in Autumn to Spring.

## Growing specifications

- Origin: Wheatbelt and south-west of Western Australia
- Form: annual (annual); height 30–60 cm
- Sun: full sun
- Soil: sandy, loam, gravel
- Drought tolerance: moderate
- Frost: light frost only
- Coastal / salt tolerant: no
- Suited climates: mediterranean, temperate, semi-arid
- Flowering season: winter, spring
- Sowing season: autumn, spring
- Germination: 5–21 days
- Seed pre-treatment: none
- Attracts: native bees, butterflies
- Garden uses: wildflower meadow, dried flower, cut flower, pots
- Notes: Sow direct in autumn for a spring display in most of Australia; spring sowing in cold districts. Surface sow and press lightly — the seed needs light and must not be covered. The fluffy coating can stay on.

## Highlights

- White through to deep pink papery bracts with a vibrant yellow head
- Carpets the WA sandplains after heavy rain
- Papery bracts rather than petals, so the flower never wilts
- No need to remove the fluffy coating before sowing

Also known as: Rosy Sunray, Acroclinium roseum, Helipterum roseum.

## Seed facts

- Seed: Small, light seeds from papery flowerheads. One of the easiest and fastest-germinating Australian wildflowers. Flowers quickly and dries beautifully for arrangements.
- Sowing depth: Surface sow. Press lightly — do not cover, as light aids germination.
- Mix: Sandy, free-draining native mix.
- Timing: Autumn.
- Germination: Full sun.
- Moisture: Keep consistently moist. Mist gently if sowing in trays.
- Timeline: 5–21 days.

## How to sow

1. Sow autumn to spring — autumn sowing gives the longest display in most of Australia.
2. Prepare a sandy, free-draining native mix or a sunny patch of open ground.
3. Surface sow and press lightly. Do not cover: light aids germination. The fluffy coating can stay on.
4. Keep consistently moist, misting gently if you are sowing into trays.
5. Seedlings appear in 5–21 days; thin to 15–20cm apart once they are large enough to handle.
6. Choose a position in full sun with well-drained sandy or loamy soil.

## Care

- Water sparingly once established — it prefers dry conditions and good drainage.
- Thrives in sandy, well-drained soils in full sun.
- Avoid heavy fertilising: low-nutrient soils produce the best blooms.
- Pick the flowers just as they open for the best dried arrangements.
- Self-seeds readily in ideal conditions, creating natural wildflower drifts.

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