Leuzea conifera

Pinecone Thistle. Pretty cool 6"-12" tall plant from dry pine woods and wastelands in southern Europe and northern Africa. The spineless gray-green, thistle-like leaves, are felted gray-white underneath and are a perfect accompaniment to the art project flowers. Tufts of filamentous purplish flowers erupt from hefty cones of overlapping, feathered brown scales. Beautiful conversation plant for the rock garden and while perennial, it is short-lived, so save some seeds.