About
Berkheya purpurea is a perennial plant that reaches a height of 75 cm. It features rosettes of spiny foliage, with leaves measuring up to 45 cm in length and 10 cm in width, characterized by their downy white undersides. During the summer months, the plant produces flowerheads that can be as large as 8 cm in diameter, which emerge on short lateral branches from the main stem and bloom sequentially from the top downward. The flowers resemble daisies, consisting of an outer ring of white, pale mauve, or purple ray florets that encircle a darker purple disc in the center.
About the genus
Berkheya consists of shrubs or perennial plants characterized by their spiny, pinnately divided foliage. In the summer months, they produce flower heads that resemble daisies, available in shades of yellow, purple, or white.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Gravel garden, Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- S Africa
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Protect from wet winter conditions
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or by division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free