Button flower (Gomphrena haageana)

Overview

The Button flower, scientifically known as Gomphrena haageana, provides exceptional, long-lasting color in the hottest months, blooming reliably from early summer until frost arrives. While its true flowers are small and yellow, the structure is defined by papery, clover-like bracts that display brilliant color, often in shades of eye-catching orange. As a tender perennial in warmer regions (USDA Zones 9-11), this species offers fantastic value, often utilized as a dependable annual elsewhere.

This species is particularly valued for its robust nature; it exhibits extremely good heat tolerance once established. Furthermore, Gomphrena haageana demonstrates low maintenance requirements and resilience against tough conditions, including drought and clay soils. Gardeners appreciate its upright habit and its suitability for use in cutting gardens, as the unique flowerheads dry exceptionally well, making it a favorite everlasting plant.

This globe amaranth cousin features narrow ovate green leaves providing a nice backdrop to the colorful heads. Whether you seek bold color for borders or material for dried arrangements, the Button flower stands out among summer bloomers due to its toughness and continuous floral display.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Amaranthaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Native Range: Mexico, New Mexico, and Texas
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 2-2.5 ft
  • Spread: 1-1.5 ft
• Bloom Time: June to frost
• Bloom Description: Yellow with showy orange bracts
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Gomphrena haageana thrives when given full sun exposure, which is crucial for maximizing bloom production throughout the summer. Plant seedlings or purchased plants outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed. This species adapts well to average, well-drained soils, tolerating clay and dry conditions once mature, though regular moisture during the initial growing season aids establishment.

While exhibiting good drought resistance as mature Button flower plants, providing consistent, medium water levels throughout summer encourages the best performance. Fertilization is rarely strictly necessary given its low maintenance rating, but amending poor soil with compost ensures vigorous growth. Pinching back young plants encourages a bushier habit, leading to more numerous flowerheads later in the season.

For gardeners starting from seed, germination of Gomphrena haageana can be sporadic, so sowing directly requires using ample seed material. Alternatively, starting seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks prior to your average last frost date will provide a head start, ensuring blooms appear earlier in the growing season. As a perennial hardy only to Zone 9, gardeners in cooler climates treat this heat-loving plant as a temporary annual display.

Landscape Uses

The reliable structure and color of Gomphrena haageana make it incredibly versatile in landscape design. It performs excellently when used for defining borders, adding vertical interest to annual beds, or mass planting for bold blocks of seasonal color. Because of its sturdy stems and unique texture, it is a superior choice for cutting gardens, providing material for both fresh bouquets and long-lasting dried arrangements.

Consider planting the Button flower alongside shorter, shorter-blooming perennials that enjoy similar full sun and well-drained soil conditions. Its upright stature also makes it suitable for containers, where it can serve as a striking central “thriller” element, complemented by trailing or mounding fillers. Its low water demand once established makes it a practical selection for rock gardens where moisture conservation is beneficial.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Good Dried

Noteworthy Characteristics

Gomphrena haageana, in comparison to the more common annual G. Globosa, is a tender perennial globe amaranth that is taller (to 24-30”) and features bright orange bracts. The true flowers are insignificant, tiny yellow trumpets that are only visible close up. It is the bright orange bracts arranged in globose, papery-textured, clover-like flowerheads that provide the real show in a long summer to frost bloom. Cultivars expand the range of flowerhead colors to include shades of red, lavender and purple. Long lasting fresh cut flower. Excellent dried flower (an everlasting) that retains color well.

Tolerances

• Drought
• Clay Soil
• Dry Soil

Potential Problems

This globe amaranth variety is known for its resilience, presenting no serious insect or disease problems under normal garden conditions. Because it prefers well-drained soil, the primary issue to avoid is overly saturated conditions, particularly during cool or overcast weather, which can lead to root issues. Good air circulation, easily achieved when planted according to recommended spacing, further minimizes any potential for fungal issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Button flower suitable for?

Gomphrena haageana is reliably winter hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 11, thriving where winters are mild.

How large does Gomphrena haageana grow?

This plant typically reaches a height between 2 and 2.5 feet, with a spread of 1 to 1.5 feet at maturity.

When does Button flower bloom?

The Button flower produces its showy orange bracts starting in June and continues blooming robustly until the first hard frost of the season.

What sun exposure does Gomphrena haageana need?

This species requires full sun exposure to achieve the best growth and most prolific flowering throughout the summer months.

Conclusion

The Gomphrena haageana offers gardeners a tough, heat-tolerant performer capable of supplying outstanding color all season long, especially valued for its exceptional drying qualities. Embrace the low maintenance and drought resilience of the Button flower by ensuring it receives ample sunlight in your landscape planning this year. Check your local hardiness zone compatibility now to determine if you can grow this beauty as a perennial or if you should plan to add it as a celebrated annual.

Companion Planting Opportunities

Given that Gomphrena haageana requires full sun, medium water, and tolerates poor or dry soils, it pairs wonderfully with other sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennials and annuals. Consider placing it near plants like Lantana, Portulaca (Moss Rose), or Zinnia, which share similar cultural desires for heat and sharp drainage. These companions won’t compete aggressively for nutrients and will complement the upright structure of the Button flower nicely during the peak summer months.

For an extended season of interest, integrate lower-growing, drought-tolerant sedums or creeping thyme around the base of the Gomphrena haageana to suppress weeds and utilize ground space effectively, especially useful in rock garden settings. These pairings create visually rich, water-wise displays that require minimal intervention once established.

Design Ideas for Everlastings

The unique texture and longevity of the Gomphrena haageana flowerheads invite specific design considerations focused on future use. When designing cutting gardens, dedicate space to these plants alongside traditional dried flower materials like Yarrow or Strawflowers, ensuring easy access for harvesting. Harvest the heads when they feel papery but before they begin shattering.

In mixed borders, use the bright orange of the Button flower as an accent near deep purples, lavenders, or contrasting silvery foliage (like Artemisia). This contrast highlights the intense color of the bracts, drawing the eye across the garden space. Because this plant retains its color so well when dried, consider planting a small dedicated patch solely for the purpose of preparing winter decorations, linking your summer garden directly to your indoor décor.