Berkheya

These southern African daises are relatively unknown in the UK. The most commonly cultivated, B. purpurea, with its lilac-purple flowers, is an exception, as the approximately 70 or so other species have yellow or white flowers. Regardless of colour, the daisy-like flowerheads are of a good size, more like a small sunflower and much bigger than Aster, Symphyotrichum. Foliage is often attractive, varied in form, but normally spiny, with some reducing down or completely disappearing over winter, only to reappear in spring. Full sun and a well-draining soil will suit them best. A genus worth investigating.

As with all 'daisy-like' flowers, the disc-flowers in the centre of the flowerhead produce nectar and pollen that are attractive to insects. The large flowerheads of this genus are particularly favoured by bumblebees, honeybees, leaf-cutter bees and hoverflies.