Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Annual Biennial
Carduus nutans
musk thistle
The musk thistle is distinctive for its large drooping flower heads that are borne singlyfrom June to August. These are purple, 3-5cm across and are without ray florets. The plant is an upright biennial with downy stalks that have spiny wings, but are spine-free just below the flower head. These heads are 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
Loam
Sand
Clay
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
Exposure
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
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
- Wildflower meadow
Pruning
None required
Pests
Trouble-free
Diseases
Trouble-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.