Overview

Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' is a perennial in the genus Cirsium, part of the Asteraceae family. It typically grows around 0.9 m tall. Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include borders and cut flowers. It is native to Guangxi, Hunan, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Hebei, Honshu, Kyushu and Taiwan.

About

Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' is a thistle cultivar in the Asteraceae with a strong summer flowering period from July to September. It belongs to the genus Cirsium and is grown for its upright, architectural flowerheads. Plants are typically used to extend colour and structure into late summer. The cultivar name signals a selection within Cirsium japonicum for garden use.

About the genus

Cirsium is a genus of perennial and biennial flowering plants in the Asteraceae, one of several genera known commonly as thistles. They are more precisely known as plume thistles. These differ from other thistle genera in having a seed with a pappus of feathered hairs on their achenes.

Wikipedia contributors, "Cirsium", CC BY-SA 4.0Cirsium

In the garden

Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' sits within the genus Cirsium and the sunflower family, Asteraceae, and is a garden selection of that species. The species has an eastern Asian background, and the cultivar carries the same structural habit and seasonal timing, producing its flowerheads in the UK from July to September. Place 'Pink Beauty' where its summer display can be seen from paths or borders. Allow room for its upright flower stems; groups planted together give a clearer late-season statement than single specimens. In cultivation choose a site that permits good air movement around the plants to reduce damp contact on stems and leaves during wet weather. Cutting back spent stems after flowering will tidy the plot and help manage seed spread if that is a concern. In mixed borders or naturalistic beds it provides vertical emphasis in late summer and bridges the gap before autumn perennials take over. The defining practical point for this cultivar is its reliable July–September flowering window, which makes it useful where late-summer structure is required.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Cirsium

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Exposure
Full sun
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type
Perennial
Height
0.9 m
Suggested uses
Borders, Cut flowers
Native to
Guangxi, Hunan, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Hebei, Honshu, Kyushu, Taiwan

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty'

Cultivation
Prefers moist, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging; mulch in winter
Pruning
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming
Propagation
Seed, Division

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty'?

Prefers moist, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging; mulch in winter.

Where is the best place to plant Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty'?

Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' prefers full sun. It suits full sun positions.

What soil does Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' need?

Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including sandy, loamy and clay. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.

How do I prune Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty'?

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming.

How big does Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' grow?

Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' reaches a height of 0.9 m.

Is Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' hardy in the UK?

Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.

How do I propagate Cirsium japonicum 'Pink Beauty'?

Seed, Division.

More in the Cirsium genus

Browse all Cirsium