About
Cirsium erisithales is a perennial plant that forms clumps and can reach heights of up to 1.5 meters. It features sticky stems and elongated, deeply lobed leaves that are spiny. During the summer months, it produces tall stems topped with nodding flowers resembling thistles, characterized by tubular petals that are light yellow in color.
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, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, 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
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Thrives in full sun, particularly on chalk and limestone but will tolerate any well-drained soil and some shade
- Pruning
- Deadhead if seed is not required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, or by division between autumn and spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews