About
Cirsium dissectum is a perennial plant that forms clumps and thrives in moist meadow environments, typically reaching heights of 60 to 80 centimeters. It features primarily basal leaves that are mid-green on the upper surface and white underneath, edged with soft spines. The stems are downy and ridged, supporting flower heads that measure up to 3 centimeters long and exhibit a reddish-purple hue. This species blooms from early summer through late summer.
About the genus
Cirsium includes both biennial and perennial species characterized by their spiny foliage and distinctive thistle-like flower heads.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- W Europe
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Often grown as a wildflower in moist, grassy habitats and best grown in an open situation in moist but well-drained alkaline soil with full sun
- Pruning
- If self-seeding is a problem then cut back hard after flowering
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or by division of the rhizomes
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews