How to Grow Craspedia

Overview of craspedia/billy buttons

Craspedia, also known as billy buttons, is a fun and easy flower to grow in gardens. Sometimes called drumstick flowers or billy balls, craspedia produce unique, rounded flower heads on upright stems that make them stand out. Their pom-pom blooms come in bright colors like yellow, orange, red and white. Craspedia are hardy perennials that can thrive with minimal care. Both their whimsical flowers and fuzzy leaves make great additions to floral arrangements.

Reasons to grow craspedia

There are many benefits to growing craspedia:

Long blooming season from early summer to first frost
Low maintenance, drought tolerant once established
Attract pollinators like bees and butterflies
Unique, eye-catching flowers
Mix of heights and colors for visual interest
Excellent cut or dried flowers
Deer and rabbit resistant

Starting craspedia from seeds or buying young plants are both good options.

From seeds

Growing craspedia from seeds allows you to choose from the widest variety.

Choosing the right soil and location

Select a site with full sun and well-draining soil. Amend clay or sand soils with compost to improve drainage.

Planting and caring for seedlings

Here are some tips for planting and caring for craspedia seedlings:

Sow seeds in cell packs or trays with well-draining seed starting mix. Cover lightly with 1/4 inch of soil.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soaked until seeds germinate in 7-14 days.
Provide plenty of light immediately after sprouting. Supplement with grow lights if needed.
Thin seedlings to 1-2 per cell once the first true leaves appear. Give each plant space.
Harden off seedlings slowly over 7-10 days before transplanting outside after all danger of frost.
Transplant seedlings when they are 4-6 weeks old and have 3-4 true leaves.
Space seedlings 8-12 inches apart in full sun locations with enriched soil.
Water thoroughly after transplanting and provide shade for a few days until established.
Apply diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to encourage growth.
Monitor for diseases and pests like powdery mildew, aphids, or slugs which can affect young plants.

With proper sowing, consistent moisture, thinning, hardening off, and transplanting, craspedia seedlings will flourish when moved to the garden.

From established plants

You can also find young Craspedia plants at garden centers in the spring.

Selecting healthy plants

Here are some tips for selecting healthy craspedia plants:

Look for stocky, compact plants rather than tall, leggy ones which indicate lack of light.
Avoid root-bound plants that have lots of circling roots visible or growing out of the drainage holes.
Seek plants with healthy foliage – leaves should be green and firm without yellowing, spots, or damage.
Make sure the plant has a good shape with a rounded form rather than being stretched out.
Look for signs of new growth like leaf buds emerging at the base. This shows vigor.
Select plants without flowers or just a couple buds starting to form. You want the energy to go to establishment.
Check that the soil is moist but not soaked. Root rot is a concern in overly wet soil.
Give the plant a gentle tug to check root development. It shouldn’t pull out of the pot easily.
Inspect plants for pests like aphids before purchasing and avoid any infested ones.
Get plants from a reputable nursery that cares for them properly.

Choosing young, hearty plants without flowers and signs of new growth will give you the best start to growing craspedia successfully. Take time to examine plants carefully when purchasing.

Transplanting and caring for established plants

Here are some tips for transplanting and caring for established craspedia plants:

When transplanting craspedia plants, dig a hole the same depth as the root ball and twice as wide. This gives the roots room to spread out.
Carefully loosen any circled or matted roots before placing the plant in the hole. This encourages it to grow into the surrounding soil.
Water the plant thoroughly after transplanting to remove any air pockets and settle the soil.
Space plants 8-12 inches apart to allow for growth. Crowding causes poor air circulation and floppy stems.
Apply a balanced fertilizer a week after transplanting to aid establishment. Slow release organic options work well.
Install a stake next to larger plants to support them if needed while roots develop.
Water regularly the first 4-6 weeks after transplanting until plants are settled. Then water only when soil is partly dry.
Monitor for transplant shock. Leaves may wilt at first. Growth should resume in 1-2 weeks.
Avoid transplanting during hot, dry weather. Early spring or fall is best.

With proper planting depth, watering, fertilizing, and spacing, transplanted craspedia acclimate quickly to their new home. Consistent care early on prevents setbacks.

Caring for Craspedia Plants

Craspedia are one of the easiest perennials to grow. They need minimal care once settled.

Water

Water thoroughly after transplanting new plants to help the roots establish.
Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings when plants are young. Craspedia don’t like soggy soil.
Once plants mature, they are quite drought tolerant. Only water if soil is very dry 1-2 inches down.
Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases. Water at soil level instead.
In very hot climates, plants may need more frequent water to prevent wilting. Observe plants and water when top soil is dry.
Overwatering can cause root rot and other problems, so allow soil to dry between waterings whenever possible.
If plants wilt from lack of water, give them a deep watering immediately. Craspedia can bounce back quickly if dried out.
Less frequent, deep soakings are better than frequent shallow waterings. Deep water encourages deep root growth.

Fertilizer

Craspedia have low fertility needs once established. Too much fertilizer can cause leggy growth.
Apply a balanced, general purpose fertilizer once early in the spring when new growth emerges.
Slow release or organic fertilizers added in early spring are good options that provide nutrients over time.
Bone meal or phosphorus fertilizers can encourage more flowering.
Compost, manure, or compost tea also add beneficial nutrients without risk of burn.
Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers that promote leafy growth over flowers.
For potted plants, you may need to fertilize 2-3 times throughout the season.
No need to fertilize after mid-summer. This can spur tender new growth prone to frost damage.
If plants look stunted or yellowed, try a foliar kelp or fish emulsion spray.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flower heads by pinching or snipping them off to encourage more blooms.
Prune back any damaged, diseased, or unsightly foliage as needed to keep plants looking tidy.
Cutting back leggy stems halfway can promote bushier growth.
Shearing plants lightly after the first flush of flowers fades can spur new growth.
Pruning is optional – craspedia bloom freely without much trimming needed.
Avoid cutting back plants in fall to allow time for new growth to harden off before winter.
Cutting plants back severely can delay flowering the following season.
For tidier foliage, trim off old leaves at the base in early spring.

Pest and disease control

Craspedia are not prone to many pests or diseases, especially with proper cultural care.
Avoid overcrowding and overwatering, which create favorable conditions for diseases.
Improve airflow and light penetration with proper spacing and pruning overgrown stems.
Inspect for common issues like powdery mildew, rusts, leaf spots, or aphids.
Remove any infected plant debris promptly to prevent spreading.
Use organic fungicides or insecticidal soaps for minor infestations.
No need to use chemical pesticides preventatively since craspedia are quite hardy.
Wash aphids off with a strong spray of water and prune away heavily infested areas.
Add beneficial nematodes to soil to control any soil-borne pests.

Harvesting and Using Craspedia

When and how to harvest

Harvest craspedia flowers when blooms are fully open and at peak maturity.
Use hand pruners or garden scissors for a clean cut that won’t crush the stem.
Make cuts on a dry day in the morning for longest vase life.
For dried flowers, cut stems long with plenty of foliage left on.
Harvest frequently, at least every 2-3 days, removing spent blooms to encourage more flowering.
To prolong bloom time, don’t harvest more than 1/3 of flowers at once.
For fall harvest, cut back any buds in late summer to focus energy on developing blooms.
Floating row covers can protect flowers from frost allowing later harvests.
Harvest seed heads for saving seeds or for crafts when they turn brown and dry.

Harvest craspedia blooms frequently by cutting the stems during peak bloom time. Deadhead routinely to maximize flowering.

Preserving and drying flowers

Hang upside down in small bunches in a dark, dry area with good airflow.
Use rubber bands or twine to gather stems together for hanging.
Can also lay flowers flat on a mesh screen or layered between paper.
Keep flowers out of direct light to preserve color.
Turn flowers periodically so they dry evenly.
Drying takes 2-4 weeks depending on humidity. Flowers are done when crispy dry.
For long term storage, pack dried flowers in airtight containers with silica gel.
Use dried blooms in arrangements, wreaths, potpourri, crafts, weddings, etc.
Air drying works best for preserving craspedia blooms. Other options are pressing or using a desiccant like silica gel.

In summary, hang or lay flowers in a dry spot out of light to successfully air dry craspedia flowers for long lasting enjoyment.

Displaying in arrangements and bouquets

Craspedia make excellent cut flowers that pair well with other garden blooms.
Mix colors and heights for visual interest and texture.
Billy buttons stand out nicely against darker flowers like purple statice or black-eyed susans.
The rounded pom pom shape provides unique structure to arrangements.
Use craspedia of different sizes – large blooms for focal points and small ones for filler.
Include some fuzzy stems and foliage for texture.
Dried craspedia lend rustic and whimsical charm to displays.
Place a few stems in a small vase for a simple yet eye-catching bouquet.
Or incorporate craspedia into a wildflower-style arrangement as playful accents.

In summary, the unique flower shape and fun colors of craspedia make them perfect for adding flair to flower displays of all kinds.

Common Varieties

There are many craspedia varieties to choose from:

Yellow (C. globosa)

The most popular with dense, bright yellow pom poms. Grows 12-18”.

Orange

Vibrant reddish-orange color. Upright 12” stems.

Red

Scarlet red blooms above mounded foliage. Stays under 12” tall.

White

Elegant pure white flowers floating on wiry stems. Heights around 24”.

Mixes and doubles

Find blends of colors like yellow and orange or white and red. Some have double blooms.

Conclusion

Summary of growing tips

With proper soil, sun, and initial watering, craspedia require minimal effort to grow and bloom beautifully. Make sure not to overwater once plants are established. Mixing colors and heights creates a lovely display.

Benefits of adding craspedia to your garden

The unique drumstick blooms of craspedia add delightful late spring through fall color. They attract pollinators, pair well in arrangements, and are deer and rabbit resistant. Both flowers and foliage have many uses. Growing billy buttons is fun and easy for beginners and experts alike.

FAQs about Growing Craspedia

Are craspedia annuals or perennials?

Craspedia are hardy herbaceous perennials in most climates. Plants will return each year.

What colors do craspedia come in?

Common craspedia colors are yellow, orange, red, and white. There are also mixes and double blooms.

Should craspedia be deadheaded?

Yes, deadheading spent blooms encourages more flowering and keeps plants looking tidy.

Are craspedia toxic to pets?

Craspedia are not toxic for cats, dogs, or other pets. They are safe to grow around animals.

How much sun do billy buttons need?

for the healthiest craspedia plants with maximum flowers, provide at least 6 hours of direct unfiltered sunlight per day. Morning sun is essential, with some afternoon shade acceptable in hotter zones. Anything less than 6 hours of sun will compromise performance.

Overview of craspedia/billy buttons

Reasons to grow craspedia