Craspedia (Drumstick Flower) in Zone 8a & 8b
Craspedia globosa
Yes, craspedia (drumstick flower) grows in zones 8a and 8b. Start seeds indoors Feb 4–Feb 11 and plant out Apr 1–Apr 8.
When to plant craspedia (drumstick flower) in zone 8b
Zones 8a and 8b 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 | Feb 4–Feb 11 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 1–Apr 8 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 25–Aug 1 (~115 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 8b
These go outside within two weeks of craspedia (drumstick flower) in zone 8b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumApr 1–Apr 8
- MarigoldApr 1–Apr 8
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Apr 1–Apr 8
- AmaryllisApr 1–Apr 8
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Apr 1–Apr 8
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Apr 1–Apr 8
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 8's season
Zone 8b's frost-free window runs about 230 days, from March 25 to November 10. Craspedia (drumstick flower) needs about 115 days from transplant to first bloom.
Craspedia (Drumstick Flower) planting windows in every zone
Zone 8b 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 (your zone) | 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 8b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Craspedia (Drumstick Flower) in USDA zone 8b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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