About
A native perennial about 1.5m tall, with creeping stolons, and upright stems, furrowed and bristly, bearing upper leaves clasping the stem with rounded basal lobes. Golden yellow flowerheads produced from midsummer to autumn are 4-5cm across, borne in lax clusters, the flowers have bracts with sticky, yellowish glands.
About the genus
Sonchus are mostly annuals with a few perennials and rarely a shrub. Most produce a basal rosette of deeply-toothed leaves, upright stems with clasping leaves and yellow, dandelion-like flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral, Acid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesWildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrows naturally in disturbed ground such roadsides and cultivated land or as a common garden weed. Has the potential to become a nuisance in lawns, beds and borders if not well managed
PruningNo pruning necessary
PropagationSpreads readily by seed
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews and a leaf spot