From Crete comes Orlaya grandiflora, an enchanting cottage garden annual with sparkling white lacecap flowers that seem to float above finely cut, ferny foliage. The extra-large 4–5" flower heads appear in profusion, bringing a soft, airy elegance that mixes beautifully with almost everything.

Also known as White Lace Flower or Minoan Lace, this easy annual is a natural for cottage gardens, cutting gardens, meadow-style plantings, pollinator beds, and romantic sunny borders. The pure white blooms are fabulous in bouquets and especially pretty woven among sweet peas, poppies, cornflowers, cosmos, larkspur, roses, and ornamental grasses. Its delicate look is refined and graceful, but the plant itself is refreshingly easy to grow.

Plant Orlaya grandiflora in full sun to light shade with well-drained soil. Deadhead or cut flowers regularly to keep the display going, or allow some seed to ripen for a relaxed self-sown look. Lovely, lacey, and beautifully useful, it is a must for old-fashioned annual flower plantings. Explore more seasonal treasures in our Annuals collection.