How to Grow Basket Flowers: A Comprehensive Guide
Overview
The basket flower, also known as the American basket flower or American starthistle, is a beautiful annual wildflower named for the distinct basketweave pattern of its phyllaries (modified leaves) surrounding the flower head base. With its showy, fringy pinkish-purple petals, this wildflower is a popular choice for gardeners.
Care Requirements
Growing basket flowers is relatively easy, and they require the following care:
- Light: Basket flowers thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
- Soil: They prefer well-drained soil, such as sandy, loamy, or clay, and are tolerant of a wide range of soil pH levels.
- Water: Once established, basket flowers are drought-tolerant and do not require frequent watering. However, they benefit from adequate moisture during the spring.
- Temperature and Humidity: Basket flowers are adaptable to a range of temperatures, including Mediterranean-style climates, temperate regions, and hot, humid subtropic weather.
- Fertilizer: To encourage prolific blooms, fertilize basket flowers with compost or organic fertilizer in the spring.
Types of Basket Flower
There are several cultivars of basket flower available, including:
- ‘Aloha Blanca’: Produces unusually large white flowers reaching 5 to 6 inches in diameter.
- ‘Aloha Rosa’: Features blooms with a smoky pink or deeper lavender shade and eye-catching black tips on the inner petals.
Growing from Seed
As annuals, basket flowers need to be grown from seed. Follow these steps:
- Collect seeds once they’re fully formed and can be easily removed from dried flower heads.
- Sow seeds indoors in small pots for a couple of months before transferring them to their outdoor location, or sow directly outdoors after the chance of frost has passed. Do not sow seeds too deeply.
- Keep the soil moist but not saturated.
- The seeds can take anywhere from one to three weeks to germinate.
Common Pests and Diseases
Basket flowers are generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, they may occasionally be affected by aphids or fungal problems such as powdery mildew.
- Aphids: Use a safe DIY spray to eliminate these pests.
- Powdery Mildew: Prevent this fungal problem by adequately spacing the plants and using fungicides or DIY solutions involving baking soda.
Bloom
Basket flowers typically bloom from May to August, with the peak blooming period around May or June.
- Bloom Appearance: The flowers resemble thistles but lack the prickly texture. They have large pink-purple petals with creamy centers and a sweet, honey-like fragrance.
- Deadheading: To encourage continued growth and blooming, pinch off developing tips and deadhead spent flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is basket flower a perennial? A: No, it is an annual, but it does self-seed.
Q: How tall does basket flower grow? A: Typically 4 feet in height, sometimes taller.
Q: Is basket flower invasive? A: No, it is not considered invasive, but it can readily self-seed and may need to be controlled in small garden spaces.
Q: How to get the most blooms from a basket flower plant? A: Fertilize in the spring, deadhead spent flowers, and pinch off developing tips to encourage branching and blooming.
Q: What’s the best soil pH for basket flowers? A: Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0).
Q: What pests and diseases affect basket flowers? A: Aphids and powdery mildew are occasional problems.
Q: How to deadhead basket flowers for best growth? A: Remove spent flowers and pinch off developing tips to promote new growth and flowering.