Cirsium tuberosum

RHS Plant Profile
tuberous thistle

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Synonyms

Carduus tuberosus
Cirsium bulbosum

Herbaceous Perennial
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A perennial herbaceous plant that forms a mound of green, softly, serrated leaves up to 60cm with a spread up to 30cm that emerge from a basal rosette. It produces rich purplish-pink, thistle-like flowers from June to August

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Cirsium may be biennials or perennials with spiny leaves and typical thistle-type flower-heads
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well drained soil in full sun. See Creating wildflower meadows for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seeds outdoors

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free