Flannel Flowers Actinotus helianthi
These iconic Australian plants are rarely available in the nursery trade due to the difficulty of propagating them. We've now had a few breakthroughs and are able to offer limited numbers of plants in tubes.
Although they usually only live for 3 years they do self-sow in the garden so once planted you should have them coming up year after year particularly if you mulch that part of the garden with fine gravel. For a show-stopping display, plant three together in a medium sized terracotta pot (about 30 - 40 cm deep). Cover the hole with some flywire then cover the flywire with some gravel. Fill with a native potting mix and mulch over the top with fine gravel.Pots need to be on a stand that allows free drainage. Do not put a saucer underneath the pot. These amazing plants flower just about all year round in milder climates and during the warmer months in cold climates. They need very little attention apart from trimming back the stems after they finish flowering. Be sure to leave a few to set seed. They are moderately frost hardy and I would recommend you put them in a sheltered position like a covered verandah in winter. Fertilise with blood and bone in spring and keep the soil moist but not wet.