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Annual Biennial

Carduus crispus
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

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

Other common names
ysgallen grech
Synonyms
Carduus acanthoides misapplied
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
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
H5
Botanical 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

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