Overview

Onopordum nervosum is a plant with a columnar upright habit in the genus Onopordum, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Onopordum nervosum grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and alkaline and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include architectural, coastal, gravel garden, wildlife gardens and cottage and informal garden.

About

Onopordum nervosum is a columnar upright thistle in the family Asteraceae, notable for its vertical, architectural stems and deciduous foliage. It flowers from July to September. Give it full sun on well-drained chalk, loam or sandy soils with neutral to alkaline pH and a south-facing aspect. It is fully hardy (H7) and will tolerate both exposed and sheltered situations.

About the genus

Onopordum, or cottonthistle, is a genus of plants in the tribe Cardueae within the family Asteraceae. They are native to southern Europe, northern Africa, the Canary Islands, the Caucasus, and southwest and central Asia. They grow on disturbed land, roadsides, arable land and pastures.

Wikipedia contributors, "Onopordum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Onopordum

In the garden

Onopordum nervosum belongs to the genus Onopordum within the Asteraceae and carries its interest in a distinctly vertical habit and seasonal flower display. Leaves are deciduous and the flowering season runs from July to September, when the upright stems bear the bloom. The plant suits a position where its columns can be seen rather than hidden. Plant into free-draining chalk, loam or sandy soils with a neutral to alkaline reaction, and place in full sun on a south-facing aspect for best flowering. It prefers well-drained conditions and will tolerate both exposed and sheltered sites. In UK terms H7 equates to fully hardy, so it withstands typical outdoor winters without special winter protection. Use Onopordum nervosum where a tall, vertical element is needed: gravel and coastal gardens, wildlife areas, or at the rear of a cottage or informal border. Allow space for its upright stems to read against lower planting; siting it where the July–September flowers are visible from paths or terraces makes best use of its columnar form.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Onopordum

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Onopordum nervosum size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Columnar upright

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Architectural, Coastal, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Onopordum nervosum

Propagation

Seed sown in containers in a cold frame, or in situ in autumn or spring

Pest resistance

Susceptible to slugs and snails

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions