Berkheya Purpurea 'Zulu Warrior'

‘Zulu Warrior’ is a bold South African perennial with an architectural rosette of deeply divided, sharply spined leaves, their green upper surfaces contrasting with woolly white undersides. Strong summer stems carry large, silvery mauve to soft purple daisy flowers centred by a dark purple disc. The succession of blooms attracts bees and butterflies and provides unusual stems for cutting. Drought tolerant once established, it is superb in gravel gardens and sunny borders, where sharp drainage and protection from excessive winter wet help it thrive.