Craspedia (Drumstick Flower) in Zone 11a & 11b
Craspedia globosa
Yes, craspedia (drumstick flower) grows in zones 11a and 11b. Start seeds indoors Nov 13–Nov 20 and plant out Jan 8–Jan 15.
When to plant craspedia (drumstick flower) in zone 11b
Zones 11a and 11b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Nov 13–Nov 20 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jan 8–Jan 15 |
| Estimated bloom | May 3–May 10 (~115 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 11b
These go outside within two weeks of craspedia (drumstick flower) in zone 11b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumJan 8–Jan 15
- MarigoldJan 8–Jan 15
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Jan 8–Jan 15
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Jan 8–Jan 15
- Campanula (Bellflower)Jan 8–Jan 15
- Castor BeanJan 8–Jan 15
Craspedia, often called drumstick flower or billy buttons, produces perfectly round, golf-ball-sized yellow flower heads on tall stems, a favorite for both fresh and dried arrangements because the blooms hold their shape and color so well.
How craspedia (drumstick flower) fits zone 11's season
Zone 11b is frost-free, so frost is not what limits the calendar here. What you can plant, and when, comes down to summer heat and daylength instead.
Craspedia (Drumstick Flower) planting windows in every zone
Zone 11b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Apr 1–Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 3 | Sep 19–Sep 26 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 11–Apr 18 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Sep 29–Oct 6 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 22–May 29 | Sep 14–Sep 21 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 22–Mar 29 | May 17–May 24 | Sep 9–Sep 16 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 7–Mar 14 | May 2–May 9 | Aug 25–Sep 1 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Aug 10–Aug 17 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jul 25–Aug 1 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Jun 17–Jun 24 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 12–Dec 19 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | Jun 1–Jun 8 |
| 11a & 11b (your zone) | Nov 13–Nov 20 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | May 3–May 10 |
Bloom dates are about 115 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for craspedia (drumstick flower).
Where to buy craspedia seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries craspedia seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing craspedia (drumstick flower)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 11b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Craspedia (Drumstick Flower) in USDA zone 11b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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