strawflower

A trip to a pick-your-own farm in the Netherlands is a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon between July and September, and if you’re looking for something that brings a splash of cheerful, everlasting color to your home, look no further than the strawflower (also known as helichrysum or everlasting flower, botanically Xerochrysum bracteatum). These little bursts of sunshine look like stiff, papery daisies and come in a rainbow of shades—from fiery orange and deep red to soft pink, white and buttery yellow.

Picking Your Strawflowers The best part about strawflowers is that they are wonderfully tactile and forgiving. Head out to a field with your friends or family, bring a pair of small scissors or pruning shears, and a basket. You’ll want to pick them when the papery outer “petals” (bracts) are open but not yet brittle, and the tiny flowers in the center are just beginning to open. Cut the stem cleanly, leaving 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) of stem on the bloom (longer if you want tall stems); don’t pull, as that damages the plant. Because they are so fibrous, they almost feel fake, which is why they are perfect for little hands—kids love how they don’t wilt instantly. Skip blooms whose bracts are already dry, brittle or faded, or whose center is fully open and dropping pollen. The best time to pick is in the morning, once the dew has dried.

What to Do With Them Once You’re Home

Since this is a flower, skip the cooking—strawflowers are for your eyes, not your stomach! Their main superpower is that they are the ultimate dried flower. Here are some whimsical ways to use them:

Everlasting Bouquets: The moment you get home, strip the lower leaves from the stems and tie them in small bunches with a rubber band. Don’t wash them. Hang them upside down in a dark, dry, airy spot for one to two weeks. Once dried, they will hold their color and shape for months, even years. Pop them into a simple terracotta pot or a vintage vase. No water needed.
Wreaths and Garlands: Because they don’t break easily, strawflowers are perfect for crafting. Use a wire wreath frame and some floral wire. Weave in a few fern leaves or eucalyptus, then tuck the strawflowers in—you can even glue them. This makes a stunning door wreath that lasts all winter.
Pressed Flower Art: Pick a few of the smallest, flattest flowers. Gently press them between the pages of a heavy book (wait a week). The papery texture makes them perfect for framing in a little shadow box, or you can glue them onto greeting cards for a personal touch. They won’t turn brown like other flowers—they stay bright.
Potpourri & Scent Sachets: Once fully dried, you can pull the petals off the heads. Mix them with dried lavender buds and a few drops of essential oil (like citrus or rosemary). Put the mix in small muslin bags to tuck into your drawers or linen closet. They look beautiful and will gently scent your clothes for months.

So, grab your basket and head to the Dutch fields. You’ll come home with a piece of summer that lasts well beyond the season.

Flora Marita

flowers

overijssel

Flora Marita in Hasselt is a pick-your-own flower farm where visitors can cut seasonal blooms directly from the field. The farm grows a variety of summer flowers, including poppies, gilia, zinnias, cosmos, daucus, sunflowers, cornflowers and strawflowers. All flowers are grown without artificial fertiliser or pesticides. The farm is currently closed for picking in 2026, but typically opens from July to September on Friday and Saturday mornings. Visitors receive a brief introduction, a picking basket and scissors, and may cut around 20 to 25 stems per bouquet. The owner arranges the flowers into a finished bouquet for an additional fee. Coffee, tea and homemade cake are available as part of a “combi deal” for groups.

Pluktuin de Melkweg

flowers, herbs, grasses

overijssel

Pluktuin de Melkweg in Bergentheim is a pick-your-own flower garden where visitors can cut their own bouquets from around 40 varieties of flowers and grasses. The selection includes dahlias, zinnias, sunflowers, cornflowers, cosmos, lathyrus, amaranthus, and ornamental grasses, with availability depending on the season and weather. The garden is open from spring until the end of the growing season in autumn. The farm operates on a self-service basis. Visitors take a pair of scissors from the garden shed, cut the stems to the desired length, and remove excess foliage at the arranging table. Payment is made by scanning a QR code for a Tikkie or in cash. A large bouquet costs €12.50, and a small one €7.50. Gift vouchers for a large bouquet are also available.

Tuinderij De Groenteboer Biologische zelfoogsttuin

fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs, berries

utrecht

Tuinderij De Groenteboer in Kamerik is a pick-your-own organic vegetable and flower garden where visitors harvest their own produce directly from the field. The farm grows around 60 types of vegetables, herbs and soft fruit, including spinach, broad beans, peas and turnip greens in spring; carrots, beetroot, broccoli and strawberries in summer; parsnips and pumpkins in autumn; and kale and leeks in winter. The season runs from May to December, with roughly 30 weeks of harvest.

Bloemenpluktuin en Mini-kwekerij Volvelds

flowers, herbs

gelderland

At Bloemenpluktuin en Mini-kwekerij Volvelds in Laag-Keppel, you pick your own flowers from early June until mid-October. The field grows zinnias, cosmos, scabiosa, dahlias, cornflowers, snapdragons, amaranth, statice, strawflowers, sunflowers and perennial plants. In spring and autumn, the farm also sells young plants of annual and perennial flowers and herbs, all grown without pesticides in organic potting soil. You visit during daylight hours, any day of the week. There is no fixed schedule or entry fee; you pay for what you pick. A small bouquet starts at €5, larger ones at €9. Payment is self-service by QR code, bank transfer or cash. Scissors, water and twine are provided. The farm has no toilet on site, but does have wheelchair-accessible parking, seating and entrance.