Propagation
Sow fresh seed during spring in a prepared bed.
Divide established clumps from winter to early spring while dormant.
Botanic information
Leaf: The grey-green oblong leaves are glabrous above and densely pubescent beneath. They are double pinnatisect with narrow short spiny lobes.
Flower: The dense spherical inflorescence is composed of tiny blue to white radiate flowers with prominent stiff blue involucel scales and is up to 50mm (2in) wide. They appear above the foliage on a slender scape during midsummer.
Fruit: The small cypsela have pappus scales that are united for half there length and the seeds are very viable. The seeds are viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively.