Plants by mail order since 1984, over 4100 plants online today!
6th January 2021. In line with the current government lockdown rules, Burncoose Nurseries is closed to visitors. However at present we are able to offer click and collect to local customers. This will be weekdays only, not weekends.
Mail order is continuing as normal. However please allow extra time for the couriers to deliver, once despatched from us. Sorry to say that some depots are experiencing high volumes of traffic, also staff shortages.

BERKHEYA purpurea
Commonly known as South African thistle
Striking South African thistle with large purplish-white flowers and large silvery-grey leaves with cottony-white undersides
Further Reading....
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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White - purplish white
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Height - 40-75cm (16-30in)
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Spread - 50-80 (20-32in)
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Herbaceous - Early in the year, typically January till end of March, herbaceous plants might be supplied in 9cm pots to ensure timely despatch. - rosette-forming perennial with spiny, mid-green basal leaves to 45cm (18in) long. Flowerheads 7cm (3in) across.
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Half hardy - unheated greenhouse / mild winter - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK except in severe winters and a risk from sudden (early) frosts. May be hardy elsewhere with wall shelter or good micro-climate. Likely to be damaged or killed in cold winters. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -5°C (23°F)
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Against a wall
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Full sun
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Additional Features - Good to know - - wildlife plant - butterflies.
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Pests & Diseases - none.
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Place of origin - South Africa (Eastern Cape, Natal).
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Hardiness - Frost hardy (down to -5) -
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Seasonal Interest - Autumn -
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Summer
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Soil Conditions - Fertile well drained soil -
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Wildlife - Butterfly friendly -
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Berkheya purpurea - Growing Guide
Herbaceous Plants - Video Collection
- Dividing Herbaceous Perennials - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring Planting Osteospermums - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dividing Summer Perennials - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dividing summer flowering Hemerocallis - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Summer propagation - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Self-seeding aquilegia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Supporting Plants - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dead heading meconopsis - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dead heading Delphiniums - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Feeding herbaceous peonies - Video Tip ondemand_video
40-75cm (16-30in)
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50-80 (20-32in) |

ANCHUSA azurea 'Loddon Royalist'
Italian bugloss, Large blue alkanet
Available from £12.50

CIRSIUM rivulare 'Atropurpureum'
Brook thistle, Ornamental thistle
Available from £12.50

COSMOS atrosanguineus 'Black Bidens'
Black Cosmos
Available from £11.50

ECHIUM fastuosum
Pride of Madeira
Available from £5.00

ASTER frikartii 'Monch'
Frostflower, Starwort
Available from £12.50

ECHINACEA
Coneflower

EUPATORIUM rugosum 'Chocolate'
White snakeroot, Mist flower
Available from £12.50

HELENIUM 'Wyndley'
Sneeze weed, Helen's flower
Available from £12.50

STRELITZIA reginae
Bird of paradise flower, Crane lily
Available from £22.50
Useful extras...

Harrod Horticulture Plant Supports - Plant & Border Supports
Trumpet wire support
The Harrod Peony plant supports have a striking trumpet shape which is ideal for supporting many plants including peonies. Available in several sizes, in traditional rust & matt black colour.
6 options from £36.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50