Saussurea costus
6 large seeds per packet.
This unusual member of the Asteraceae family is rare in western cultivation and is largely grown in the Himalayas. It produces large rosettes of thick, toothed, pubescent leaves and tall spikes bearing purple-black, thistle-like florets from July to August. Its roots are widely used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. Bees adore this plant! Height up to 2 metres. Sun to part shade in moist, well-drained, deep, rich soil. We are the only seed supplier within Europe.
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS:
Sow from March to June. Cover seed thinly, press in gently and keep top of compost from drying out. Keep pot warm at 15 to 20°C until germination, then move to somewhere cooler.
Carefully prick out seedlings when they have developed true leaves and are large enough to transplant to individual pots to grow on.