About

Cirsium rivulare Frosted Magic ('Lowcir' PBR) is a perennial that grows in clumps, reaching heights of up to 1.2 meters. It features a rosette of green foliage at the base and produces flowering stems topped with pincushion-shaped white flowerheads during the summer months, especially if regularly deadheaded. These blooms attract pollinators, while the seedheads offer a food source for finches.

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
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Height
1-1.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Prairie planting

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in full sun in moist but well-drained soil
Pruning
No pruning required except deadheading to prolong the flowering season
Propagation
Propagate by division from autumn to spring or by root cuttings; propagation for resale is illegal without a licence from the breeder
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to powdery mildews