Unknown Spikey

This interesting spikey plant is a character, but I don't know its name. I bought the plant from the small nursery at Ruapuna, which is a country garden in inland Canterbury. Spikey was featured in many of the borders, and I liked its attitude.

unknown spikey plant - Juvenile Phase!

In its first season here the plant kept to itself, neat and tidy, at the side of a small path through the Hen House Borders. It demanded respect, but wasn't too sharp to weed around.

The following spring stalks grew up out of its middle, and at a height of six feet the strangest creamy white thistle balls formed. I waited expectantly for these to colour, and I'm still waiting.

Now I'm worrying that this plant may have shown me its all, and be about to die down and disappear. Will its flower heads eventually spread their seeds around? I'm going to leave the tall stems for as long as possible. There's something exciting about the unknown.....

Years Later...

It didn't disappear at all, and several smaller seedlings have since grown on well - but none of these have flowered as yet! I also found out its name. I saw a plant in my local Botanical Gardens (which has the good manners to label everything clearly). A slight embarassment - I've since forgotten it!