Carlina acaulis subsp. simplex Bronze

The stemless Carlina acaulis subsp. simplex bronze, also known as short-stemmed carline or alpine carline, is a rare and beautiful thistle species that forms a large rosette of greyish spiny leaves with bronze highlights. In late spring and through mid-summer, it produces a single head with a rusty disc in its centre, adorned with numerous pink-silver bracts that reflect light like small mirrors. This flower-plant is an 'Art Nouveau' treasure for dry, infertile, rocky lands, and rock gardens. Perfect for dried bouquets.

It belongs to the Asteraceae family and is native to southern and eastern Europe, where it grows on arid mountain slopes. It is an herbaceous perennial plant with a limited lifespan, presenting a rosette habit, reaching 20cm (8in) in height and 50cm (20in) in width. Flowering occurs from May-June to August-September. The plant develops a head per rosette at the end of a short stem, 20 to 40cm (8 to 16in) long, with a diameter of 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in). The head has a rusty disc surrounded by silvery leathery bracts. The head closes when the weather is humid or rainy. The fruit is a villous achene topped with feathery bristles. The semi-evergreen foliage is composed of long spreading glabrous leaves, slightly villous on the underside, sometimes 30cm (12in) long, with deeply cut edges and sharp spines. This plant has a taproot that firmly anchors it in rocky terrains.

Plant the bronze carline in a dry, warm, and sunny location. It requires well-drained, poor soil as its root can rot in wet soil during winter. It prefers limestone soils and loses its compact habit in fertile soils. Remove faded flowers to prevent the plant from being exhausted and potentially dying too early.

This plant pairs beautifully with other rock garden perennials such as blue fescue, Yucca, creeping sedums, wormwoods, or lavender. It creates a unique effect in alpine troughs and other containers. You can take inspiration from nature in your garden by planting it along pathways, at the edge of groves, in light deciduous, coniferous, or mixed woodlands, in dry meadows, or on rocky embankments. It can also be used in dried bouquets. In the past, dried flowers were used as barometers.