Cirsium – Plant of the week
- Posted By: Phil
Posted in: Plant Of The Week, Plants
Cirsium
A hardy, speading perennial with large, pricky dark green leaves. In summer it bears deep crimson thistle-like flowerheads on erect stems.
Ideal in moist soil in sun – effective in a wild garden or steamside.
Height x Spread 1.2m x 60cm (4ft x 2ft)
Other common names – Plume thistle ‘Atropurpureum’
Family – Asteraceae
Genus Cirsium may be biennials or perennials with spiny leaves and typical thistle-type flower-heads
Details – ‘Atropurpureum’ is an upright perennial forming a clump of branching, leafy stems with spherical, deep red flower-heads 3cm across in summer
How to grow
Cultivation – Grow in a moist but well-drained soil in full sun; can tolerate some dryness and partial shade
Propagation- Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or propagate by division in spring or autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types Flower borders and beds Cut Flowers Cottage & Informal Garden Wildlife Gardens Wildflower meadow
How to care
Pruning – If self-seeding is a problem then cut back hard after flowering
Pests – Generally pest free
Diseases – May be infected by powdery mildews
In store – 15th July 2020