Cirsium erisithales
yellow thistle
A clump-forming perennial, up to 1.5m high, with sticky stems and long, deeply divided, spiny leaves. In summer, produces tall stems bearing nodding, thistle-like flowers with tubular, light yellow petals

Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Cirsium may be biennials or perennials with spiny leaves and typical thistle-type flower-heads
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in full sun, particularly on chalk and limestone but will tolerate any well-drained soil and some shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed, or by division between autumn and spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
Deadhead if seed is not required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews
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