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Annual Biennial
Carduus nutans
musk thistle
The musk thistle is an upright biennial, with downy stalks with spiny wings, spine free just below the distinctive for its large drooping flower heads that are borne singly from June to August, and are purple, 3-5cm across and are without ray florets, the heads surrounded by a collar of pink flower bracts
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Eurasia
How to grow
Cultivation
Occurs naturally in dry, grassy places including verges and dunes, especially on calcareous soils
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Wildflower meadow
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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