Armenian Basketflower

Hello! I shared an images of these beautiful yellow, thistle-like flowers in one of my public Instagram this week and a number of people were intrigued by it.

These fuzzy flowers are Armenian Basketflowers, also known as Giant Knapweed. Warning: They can be considered a a weed in some areas. In Washington State property owners are required to eradicate it. And our seed provider, Swallowtail Garden Seeds will not sell to buyers in that state.

Armenian Basketflowers are perennials and relatives of cornflower and bachelor’s buttons.

They look like thistles, but lack the spines! And we can use them fresh or dried. The flowers begin with a tan bud. Burst into a fuzzy yellow flower that looks like a large safflower bloom or a small artichoke flower and then return to a tan seedpod.

The pollinators also love it!