Craspedia (Drumstick Flower) in Zone 5a & 5b
Craspedia globosa
Yes, craspedia (drumstick flower) grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Mar 22–Mar 29 and plant out May 17–May 24.
When to plant craspedia (drumstick flower) in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b 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 | Mar 22–Mar 29 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 17–May 24 |
| Estimated bloom | Sep 9–Sep 16 (~115 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of craspedia (drumstick flower) in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 17–May 24
- MarigoldMay 17–May 24
- Ageratum (Flossflower)May 17–May 24
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)May 17–May 24
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)May 17–May 24
- Campanula (Bellflower)May 17–May 24
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 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Craspedia (drumstick flower) needs about 115 days from transplant to first bloom.
Craspedia (Drumstick Flower) planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b 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 (your zone) | 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 | 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 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Craspedia (Drumstick Flower) in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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