Oldenburgia grandis (Thunb.) Baill., syn. Oldenburgia arbuscula DC. (Compositae) A stiff rounded shrub with purple and white flowers, native of South Africa in the Uitenhage District to the E Cape, growing on rocky mountain ridges, flowering in November–December. Shrub to 3m. Leaves 15–25cm, leathery, long-ovate, crowded, densely white-woolly below and when young, dark green and smooth above on the older leaves. Flower heads to 10cm, large, domed, thistle-like, silver-grey to purple. Min. -10°C. Grown for its striking flowers and felted leaves, this plant thrives best in hot dry positions in, for instance, a rockery. In cooler climates it needs a well-ventilated sunny glasshouse.