A robust, clump-forming perennial with rounded, deeply toothed, grey-green basal leaves, and upright, branched stems bearing deeply-lobed, silvery-green spiny leaves and small, silvery-white terminal flowerheads above narrow, spiny bracts 2.5cm long, in summer and early autumn
0.5-1 metres
0.1-0.5 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Grow in dry, well-drained poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun, with protection from winter wet
Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe; insert root cuttings in late winter; propagate by division during spring, although they may be slow to re-establish
Tidy plants after flowering; ideal for flower arranging - cut the stems before the flowers are fully open
May be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, and slugs and snails
May be susceptible to root rot and powdery mildews