Craspedia
Craspedia comes from the genus of daisies and the family of asteraceae and is commonly known by a number of different names, including billy balls, billy buttons and woollyheads. Its versatility is its main attraction amongst florists – it can be incorporated into many styles and designs to accentuate a bright and lively theme.
Description
The spherical shape of the head of Craspedia makes it an aesthetically pleasing addition to most floral arrangements. The head itself is made up of a large amount of small florets which are usually yellow in colour.
Habitat
This flower has been found to grow in a number of different areas across its native countries of Australia and New Zealand. It is most prominent in Australia, with 17 of its 23 species being identifiable there.
Availability
Summer is primetime for Craspedia – it is known to bloom from spring right through to autumn and is now available in warm climates around the world, such as the Americas.
Species
The 23 species of the Craspedia are spread across Australasia, with 6 in New Zealand. The heads are widely similar but the leaves can range in colour, from white to green, across the various species.
Care Tips
The vibrant yellow colour of these delightfully elegant flowers fades over time, so make sure you catch them in full bloom. It is better not to prune the heads because they are so small, but you should try to cut the stems underwater, if possible, so they get the longest life in the vase.
Did you know?
- Craspedia are also known as the ‘drumstick’, as well as billy balls, billy buttons and woollyheads.
- They often work very well as a dry flower – all they need is to be hung upside down in a cool, dry place.
- ‘Good health’ is the symbolism behind Craspedia. Its name comes from the Greek ‘Kraspedon’, which means ‘edging’.
