About

Cirsium rivulare 'Trevor's Felley Find' PBR is a perennial that grows in clumps, reaching heights of up to 1.2 meters. It features soft, purple-tinged stems and silvery green leaves at the base. During summer, it produces pincushion-shaped flower heads in violet-purple, with additional blooms possible if deadheaded. These flowers attract pollinators, and leaving the final blooms can yield seed heads that serve as 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, East-facing, South-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
Cottage and informal garden, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens, City and courtyard gardens

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in full sun in moist but well-drained soil; will tolerate drier conditions and partial shade
Pruning
No pruning required except deadheading to prolong the flowering season
Propagation
Propagate by division from autumn to spring or by root cuttings
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to powdery mildews