Billy Button or Craspedia globosa is native to Australia and New Zealand where they grow in a variety of habitats from sea level to the Alps. The genus is found in every state of Australia except the Northern Territory. In New Zealand, Craspedia is found south from about East Cape in the North Island to Stewart Island.

 

The brilliant yellow hue and dense spherical shape of Craspedia globosa make it a striking addition to both fresh and dried arrangements. Craspedia is a perennial wildflower of New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania. It has long, sturdy stems. Height is 3'. The plant requires full sun. Flower heads are tough and durable, making an exceptional dried flower. Long, rugged stems also make excellent fresh bouquets. It is perennial in parts of the South and is frequently grown as an annual elsewhere.

 

 Craspedia glauca's flower, however, is not completely circular. Becoming increasingly popular is this most delightful plant from Australia with narrow, silvery-grey leaves, and bearing on strong, easily arrangeable, wiry stalks globular drumsticks. Although usually grown as a colorful half-hardy annual, it is not that tender and is well worth trying to nurse through an average British winter, with cloches perhaps, when the blooms in the second year will repay the effort taken. 2-3 ft.

 

 The gray leaves are linear and grass-like.  This makes for an interesting contrast in the garden.  The yellow flowers last for a tremendous time on the plant and dry fantastically.  Craspedia globosa will bloom spring through summer. Individual plants will die off but I seem to get enough seedlings to keep them going year after year

 

Craspedia grows in a wide range of soil types (sands, gravels, clays, earths and loams) derived from different geologies across a broad rainfall gradient. It appears to be intolerant only of extremely infertile and acidic soils.

 

They last a long time, work well as a dried flower and are not sensitive to ethylene.

 

Did you know?

 

•  It has been cultivated in the United States as a garden flower since 1988.