Carduus crispus
welted thistle
The welted thistle is a branched biennial reaching up to 1.5m in height. Leaves are pinnately lobed and downy stems are spiny and winged until just below the terminal clusters of purple flowers that are encased in woolly bracts, opening in June and August
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Purple | Green | ||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
A genus of annual or biennial flowering plants known as 'plumeless thistles', native to Eurasia and Africa, many recognised as a nuisance to agricultural and horticultural crops. They have hairy, spiny upright stems and toothed. lobed foliage topped with rounded, bristly heads in white, pink or purple
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe, N Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Occurs naturally in w wide range of soils in scrub, woodland glades and verges
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildflower meadow
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-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.