Flannel Flowers

In January 1901, six states joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia. As part of the celebrations to mark the Centenary of Federation, each state and territory has a floral emblem to use in special displays, bouquets and in plantings throughout 2001. Find your Centenary flower in the list below:

ACT - 'Canberra Rose' (rose)
NSW - flannel flower Federation Stars™( (see below)
QLD - everlasting daisy (Bracteantha Hybrid)
NT - pink ginger 'Federation Lady' (Alpinia purpurata)
SA - thryptomene 'Centenary Starburst' (Thryptomene ericaea)
TAS - St Helens wax flower (Phebalium daviesii)
VIC - red-flowered wattle 'Scarlet Flame' (Acacia leprosa)
WA - kangaroo paw 'Kings Park Federation Flame' (Anigozanthos rufus)

Federation Stars

The floral emblem chosen for New South Wales is the flannel flower (Actinotus helianthi), which was pictured on the official invitation to the original Federation celebrations held in 1901 in Sydney's Centennial Park. Don looked at two new flannel flowers varieties which have been developed at the Mt Annan Botanic Gardens specially for this occasion, and will be sold as Federation Stars™.

Common name: Flannel flowers (or Federation Stars™)

Botanic name: Actinotis helianthi 'Starbright' and 'Parkes Star'

Description: Short lived, shrubby perennials with grey-green foliage and attractive white flowers from spring to summer (usually late September to early December). Although the flowers are daisy-like in appearance, flannel flowers are actually related to carrots, parsnips and celery (they are in the plant family Apiaceae). An unusual feature of the flowers is their 'flannel' texture. The petals are actually modified leaves, usually called bracts. The true flowers form the centre of the flower. 'Parkes Star' is a long-stemmed variety, and 'Starbright' is a small, compact form.

Best climate: Flannel flowers will grow in all areas of Australia except for the tropics. In cold climates they require a warm, protected position.

Uses:

cut flowers pot plants planted in drifts in a native garden white or silver theme garden attractive to native insects

Good points:

beautiful white flowers with flannel texture silver-grey foliage

Downside:

short lived - but they do set seed and produce new plants if all the flowers are not picked prone to fungus diseases - avoid wetting the leaves while watering

Care:

Plant flannel flowers in pots or the garden in a sunny, well-drained spot with protection from strong winds. They resent root disturbance, so take care when weeding around the base. Tip prune after flowering to encourage branching and maintain the plant's shape. Fertilise with a slow release fertiliser and liquid feed during the growing season (spring to early autumn).

Getting started:

'Starbright' is currently available in NSW nurseries only. 'Parkes Star' will not be available until June 2001. Plants in 150mm (6") pots cost $12.95.

Further information

Our segment was filmed at Mt Annan Botanic Gardens, Mt Annan Drive, Mt Annan, NSW, 2567. The nursery at Mt Annan has good stock of Federation Stars™ and can supply retail outlets Australia-wide. For more information visit the website of the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney: www.rbgsyd.gov.au or phone Mt Annan on (02) 4748 2477.

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