• Berkheya purpurea (South African thistle) bloom
  • Berkheya purpurea (South African thistle) opening bloom
  • Berkheya purpurea (South African thistle) flower with pollinator
  • Berkheya purpurea (South African thistle) foliage
  • Berkheya purpurea seed heads in the late fall garden at The Old Dairy Nursery
  • Berkheya purpurea, white form dried seed heads
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Berkheya purpurea, white form | South African thistle

ARCHIVED PLANT. This page serves as reference only. We are no longer propagating this plant.

A rare daisy from South Africa with thistle-like foliage and exuberant flowers. The large flowers are held atop 3 to 4 foot tall stems, adding to the drama. Deer proof, drought resistant, and long-blooming. This excellent plant is easy to grow in fertile soil in full sun. Winter protection required in colder zones. This plant has a long taproot and should not be moved once established.

Note: species usually has smokey lavender flowers, but our plants are white with a pink tinge as shown in the photos

Zones: 6 to 10
Family: Asteraceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 24 to 30 in.
Spread: 12 to 18 in.
Exposure: full sun
Soil Conditions: dry, well-drained, average
Bloom Time: July to September
Bloom Color: white with pink tinge
Native Range: South Africa

Special Characteristics
  • Deer-resistant
image credits

@ The Old Dairy Nursery

Berkheya purpurea (South African thistle) bloom
Berkheya purpurea (South African thistle) opening bloom
Berkheya purpurea (South African thistle) flower with pollinator
Berkheya purpurea (South African thistle) foliage
Berkheya purpurea seed heads in the late fall garden at The Old Dairy Nursery
Berkheya purpurea, white form dried seed heads

See all in this genus

garden location coming soongarden location coming soon
Berkheya purpurea seed heads in the late fall garden at The Old Dairy NurseryBerkheya purpurea seed heads in the late fall garden at The Old Dairy Nursery
 

view this plant in our gardens:

Nursery: Greenhouse Garden | 2024

seedling image

Berkheya purpurea, white form | South African thistle

We are slowly creating a seedling image library to help make weeding easier.
Berkheya purpurea seed heads in the late fall garden at The Old Dairy NurseryBerkheya purpurea seed heads in the late fall garden at The Old Dairy Nursery
 
garden location coming soongarden location coming soon