Limonium macrophyllum

A shrubby perennial forming a mound of bright green, large leaved rosettes and bearing big domed heads of rich purple papery bracts which dry in situ. Hailing from the Canaries and one of the largest and most spectacular in the genus. A dry summer rest seems to stimulate more vigorous growth than constant moisture and it enjoys the miserable conditions around the foot of large trunked trees, providing indispensable scale and colour especially when paired with larger Agave. Sensitive to heavy frosts though it is sometimes found in old gardens of the Wheatbelt and Goldfields but maybe only in sheltered spots. Perfectly clay tolerant providing drainage is adequate but even more at home on limestone.