Come January, I’m always curious to find what plants I miss, and I’m perplexed to find that I miss this plant this year. Its name is Berkheya purpurea, it’s not much on common names, but it sure is a spiky thing. Even the stems of its flowers are extravagantly flocked with this weird bunting of ruffly, spiky… Leafiness? I’m no botanist, and would rather daydream about those gobsmackingly clear lavender flowers than look it up. (I’m sure someone will pipe in.)
Berkheya bloomed great in 2010, but disapproved of a period of blasting sun that coincided with its bloom time last year. Oh, well. This year, I’m moving it to a spot in part sun, where I think its flowers will hold up better.
Hardiness: Zones (5)6-10
Best features: Giant lavender drumsticks of daisies; drought resistance
Likes: Good drainage
Dislikes: Being moved, because it has a taproot (we’ll see how that goes); blazing sun on its flowers; your fingers (ow)
Comes from: South Africa
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Love the blooms…but as often as I seem to move plants around these days…it would probably take it’s vengeance on my all too easily ;-)
Oh Scott, I am so with you. I thought these were in a spot where they could stay! I’m bummed I have to move them, but I’m sure they’ll recover. And I ordered a half-dozen more in the Arrowhead Alpines seedling sale this year, so if they don’t, I think I’m in good shape!
Thanks so much for this post. I had a picture of one of these (in bud, no blooms) from Beth Chatto’s garden and I had no idea what it was. I think you have solved the mystery.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31413472@N07/5777917996/in/set-72157626714424865/
@Kaveh, glad to help! This is a very Chatto-esque plant, I think. At home in scree, tough but gorgeous. You can usually find them at Annie’s Annuals and Arrowhead Alpines. (I was going to add a sources line up there, but I was in a hurry.)
(also now I want one)
Of course Andrew, you did it again. I’ve never seen this one! Very cool. Even if I do have to move it around to find it’s happy spot, I’m going looking for it this year. :-) Thanks!
Hey, queen of containers! These plants were actually doing *great* in their gallon pots when I bought them. I imagine they’d prefer to be permanent in a container, rather than rearranged seasonally, and the deeper the better, and they’d need some dressing up when not in bloom, but who knows? Possibilities?
Drought Resistant? Danger. That is one awesome plant.
What’s up with that foliage? Can you say “OUCH”! It must be deer resistant as well as drought…
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