Berkheya purpurea – Purple Berkheya – Asteraceae (The Asteraceae Family)

Description Berkheya purpurea is a thistle-like plant from the daisy family with jagged, prickly leaves that give rise to a long display of clusters of large white to lavender flowers with dark purple centres. It’s a native of Southern Africa that can bloom at 1-3 feet high and makes for a spectacular sight planted en masse. Berkheya is a long-lived perennial growing from a tap root so best not to move it once established. It comes from a summer rainfall region so enjoys ample moisture and rich soil during the growing season (though it is tolerant of periods of drought) but a dry dormancy in winter which can be achieved with with a winter mulch. Often listed as zone 6 but there are many reports of hardiness from zone 5 areas of Ontario.