|
Home > Plant profiles > Serratula ‘Purple Haze’
Serratula ‘Purple Haze’
 Botanical name: Serratula seioniae ‘Purple Haze’.
Common name: Saw-wort.
History: This plant has never been widely grown in gardens. First documented by Linnaeus (1753), this perennial was grown for its attractive thistle-like purple pink flowers that appear in the late summer to autumn.
Origin: West Mediterranean Europe.
Name: The name Serratula comes form the Latin serrula that translates as ‘little saw’, referring to the saw-edged leaves of the plant.
Comments: This is a clump forming, many branched plant that has egg shaped, to lance shaped leaves. The leaves are divided into narrow, serrated bristly segments and are dark green in colour. The cylindrical heads of reddish purple flowers are borne on branching stems in late summer. The easiest method of propagation is division. This should be carried out in late autumn after flowering or preferably in spring, before the growing season starts. Crowding of this plant should be avoided as it responds badly to root competition. Late winter is often the best show time for this plant if the flower heads are allowed to dry out. A brisk wind will dry the spent flower heads to a pale brown colour and as they are so beautifully shaped the plant almost appears to be in flower again.
Tips: Grow in a sunny border or in a rock garden for a beautiful summer display. This plant is ideal to use in areas of the garden that lack colour towards the end of summer. The dark ferny leaves and thistle like flowers make for a very striking show. ‘Purple Haze’ adds a vibrant colour later in the year when planted in borders behind early flowering summer bulbs.
Contacts:
The Australian Gardener’s manual - www.landlinks.csiro.au
www.hortiplex.gardenweb.com
Family: Asteraceae.
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial.
Size (HxW): 25cm x 25cm.
Depth and spacing: Plant with the crown just below the soil surface and 25cm apart.
Watering: Keep moist whilst growing.
Frost tolerance: Fully hardy.
Flowering time: Summer to autumn.
Soil: Rich, well drained soils best suit this plant pH 6.0-7.5.
Aspect: Full sun to semi-shade.
Climate: Cool to temperate.
Pruning: Remove all old growth during dormancy.
Fertilizer: General complete fertilizer in spring.
|
