Plants by mail order since 1984 - over 4,100 plants online today!
Burncoose Nurseries - part of the Caerhays Estate
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Silver-Gilt Medal awarded at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show
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    BERKHEYA purpurea
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
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    BERKHEYA purpurea BERKHEYA purpurea BERKHEYA purpurea BERKHEYA purpurea Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’, Berkheya purpurea, Echinacea, Eupatorium ‘Chocolate’, Helenium ‘Wyndley’ and Echinops battanicus © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. BERKHEYA purpurea and STRELITZIA reginae © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    >

    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
    plant size comparison icon
    2 Litre   - Click to view photo
    Delivery Information
    Available again from summer 2025
    individually £13.50 each , 3+ £11.00 each 
    Available again from summer 2025 - Could be any time, June through to end August. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
     
    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes - Click to close
    • Flowering
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    • Good to know
      Wildlife plant - butterflies.
    • Pests & Diseases
      None.
    • Place of origin
      South Africa (Eastern Cape, Natal).
    • White
      Purplish white
    • Frost hardy (down to -5)
    • Height
      40-75cm (16-30in)
    • Spread
      50-80 (20-32in)
    • 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.
    • 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)
    • Autumn Seasonal Interest
    • Summer Seasonal Interest
    • Fertile well drained soil
    • Against a wall
    • Full sun
    • Butterfly friendly
    • Mature Size
      40-75cm (16-30in)
      		 Herbaceous - guide for size not form Watering Can
        50-80 (20-32in)
      		  
    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
    Berkheya purpurea - Growing Guide
    Herbaceous Plants - Video Collection
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    Useful extras...

    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)
    Small - 60g sachet
    £3.00
    Medium - 150gm sachet
    £6.00
    Large - 360gram sachet
    £12.00
    Unavailable
    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.
    0.9 kg
    £6.00
    Unavailable
    2.5 kg
    £13.00
    Unavailable
    4.5 kg
    £25.00
    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™.
    1 ltr
    £8.50
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