Description:

This is a lovely ornamental plant that is a great accent for shaded borders and containers; likes moisture but will tolerate short dry periods; perfect for adding interest to these areas

Ornamental Features

Silver Sheep's Burr features solitary balls of red pincushion flowers held atop the stems in mid summer. Its serrated pointy leaves emerge green in spring, turning dark green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Silver Sheep's Burr is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Silver Sheep's Burr is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Silver Sheep's Burr will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity extending to 18 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to full shade. Keep it well away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.

Silver Sheep's Burr is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.