Rhodanthe chlorocephala may be born and bred in the sandy heathlands of Western Australia, but its appeal has travelled far beyond its native shores. Through the cut flower trade and ornamental gardening, this beloved paper daisy has found its way into gardens, florists, and flower farms across the globe. Here’s a look at where it’s growing and how it’s being used around the world.
Europe: A Cottage Garden Favourite
In Europe, Rhodanthe chlorocephala is grown primarily as a summer annual, prized for its papery blooms and long vase life. In the United Kingdom it’s a popular choice for cottage gardens, while France, Germany, and the Netherlands cultivate it for ornamental beds and dried flower production. Mediterranean countries — Italy, Spain, and Greece — are particularly well suited to growing it, with dry, sunny climates that closely mimic its native Australian habitat. In most of Europe it remains a cultivated plant rather than a naturalised one, which means it needs to be sown each season.
North America: Wildflower Mixes and Cutting Gardens
Across North America, Rhodanthe chlorocephala is grown as a garden annual, performing especially well in California, the Pacific Northwest, and the warmer southern states. In Canada it thrives as a summer annual in temperate regions. It’s a popular inclusion in wildflower seed mixes and cutting gardens, valued for its ability to dry beautifully for long-lasting arrangements. It is not considered invasive anywhere in North America.
New Zealand and Beyond
New Zealand’s climate — similar in many ways to parts of Australia — makes it a natural fit for paper daisies, where they are grown ornamentally and appreciated for their everlasting qualities. Further afield, Rhodanthe chlorocephala is cultivated in South Africa, parts of South America, and Japan, where dried and decorative flowers have a strong and enduring market.
A Surprising New Home: Hong Kong
One of the more unexpected chapters in the global story of Rhodanthe chlorocephala is its recent arrival in Hong Kong. Western Australian pink and white everlastings are now being grown at city farms, most notably at Zen Organic Farm in Ta Kwu Ling, where they bloom in February and March — timing that coincides beautifully with Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day.
Their arrival in Hong Kong required strict import certifications, a testament to the care taken to introduce them responsibly into a new horticultural context. The blooms — papery pink and white with contrasting yellow centres — have created striking displays reminiscent of Australian wildflower meadows, bringing a little piece of Western Australia to one of Asia’s most dynamic cities.
A Few Things to Know If You’re Growing It Abroad
Wherever it’s grown outside Australia, a few key things remain constant. Rhodanthe chlorocephala needs a sunny, well-drained spot and thrives in poor soil — rich, fertile conditions actually work against it. It’s an annual, so it needs to be sown each season unless it’s allowed to self-seed. The flowers are light-sensitive, closing up during cloudy weather or at night — a charming quirk that makes sunny days feel all the more rewarding. And of course, it dries superbly, making it one of the most versatile flowers you can grow, wherever in the world you happen to be.