SPINY IRON PLANT:
Limited
to the southern portion of the province, this species prefers sandy poor soil in
full sun. Makes an excellent ground
cover - growing 15-30 cm tall with small yellow aster-like flowers.
Leaves are grayish green and woolly with small spines on the margins -
hence the common name. Seeds should
be fall sown or moist stratified for 3-4 weeks prior to being direct seeded in
spring or started in cell trays. Cover
seeds with just a light dusting of soil. Mix
seeds with 10 parts moist sand or peat in a plastic container and store in the
fridge to stratify. 1 of 4 species
that occurs in Alberta.
