About

'Berkheya purpurea 'Silver Spike'' is a perennial that forms a rosette, featuring spiny, lobed leaves that can reach lengths of 45 cm, characterized by their woolly white undersides. The upright stems can grow as tall as 75 cm and produce clusters of daisy-like flowers in a whitish-purple hue during mid-summer.

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, Loam, Sand
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
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden

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 division
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free