Overview

Urospermum dalechampii is a perennial herbaceous in the genus Urospermum, part of the Asteraceae family. It typically grows around 0.5 m tall. Urospermum dalechampii grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. It is native to Spain, Sicily, Montenegro, Morocco, Libya, Sardegna, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Algeria.

About

Urospermum dalechampii is a perennial herbaceous member of the Asteraceae that bears sulphur-yellow flower heads. It forms a low rosette of toothed leaves with one or more upright stems and typically reaches about 0.5 m. Flowering runs from May to August in the UK when the bright heads are most obvious. The mature heads develop beaked achenes with a feathery pappus.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Urospermum dalechampii

About the genus

Urospermum, or prickly goldenfleece, is a small genus of flowering plants in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family.SpeciesUrospermum dalechampii (L.) Scop. ex F.W.Schmidt - Mediterranean from Spain + Morocco to the Aegean; naturalized in Australia Urospermum picroides (L.) Scop. ex F.W.Schmidt - Mediterranean + southwestern Asia from Portugal + Canary Islands to Pakistan; naturalized in Australia, North America, South America

Wikipedia contributors, "Urospermum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Urospermum

In the garden

Urospermum dalechampii originates from Mediterranean regions including Spain, Sicily, Sardegna and North Africa, where it favours open, sunny sites. In UK gardens it flowers from May to August and provides low, upright stems topped by sulphur-yellow composite heads. Grow it in full sun on sandy, loamy or clay soils that are moist but well drained; good drainage is important on heavier substrates. Plant to a depth matching the root ball and allow some air around the crown to reduce rot in wet winters. The species carries a fully hardy rating (H7), so it tolerates UK winter temperatures in most situations; it also corresponds to USDA zones 5–9. At roughly 0.5 m high it suits mixed gravel beds, Mediterranean-style borders or sunny edges of herbaceous borders where a low, flowering perennial is wanted. The flower heads are followed by beaked achenes topped with a feathery pappus, a diagnostic feature that helps with identification once blooms have finished. Situate plants where their seed heads can be seen up close if you want to examine the achenes and pappus.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Urospermum

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy, Clay

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Exposure

full sun

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Urospermum dalechampii size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

perennial herbaceous

Height

0.5 m

Native to

Spain, Sicily, Montenegro, Morocco, Libya, Sardegna, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Algeria

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Urospermum dalechampii

Propagation

seed

Frequently asked questions