Blooming in differing shades of both pale and bright colours they certainly make a striking display in the garden. What has amazed me though is that, although they flower best in the hot summer months, these beauties have thrived during our winter and in a position that hasn't been receiving much sunlight.
Strawflowers are found Australia wide growing in many different habitats from rainforests to deserts to subalpine areas and provide a food source for butterflies, bees and insects. They are a herbaceous shrub growing to a height of up to 80cm high and have lovely leafy green foliage. But what makes these little beauties so special is the different texture of their petals (or bracts) which are stiff, papery and dry making them a perfect long lasting flower. Touching them actually does feel like very light cardboard yet they are quite strong and it is because of this texture that they are ideal as dried flowers and for use in the cut flower industry.
Replicating the sharp edges of the strawflower was a challenge when designing this flower and my aim, as always, is to be as authentic as possible so some stitchers may find the design a little intricate. This is probably the only wildflower design where the availability of different colours for a flower have been included in the one design and therefore a total of 13 colours have been used.
But with such an array of colours to choose from to portray the Strawflower, it was just too difficult for me to decide on just one. Or......maybe.....it was just an excuse for the artist in me to experiment with colours and my stash!!!
Ros
'Flowers are those little colourful beacons of the sun from which we get sunshine when dark, sombre skies blanket our thoughts' - Dodinsky
Beautiful Ros
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