Cirsium heterophyllum
melancholy thistle
C. heterophyllum is a clump-forming, spreading perennial up to 1.2m tall. The lance-shaped, green leaves have softly-spiny edges and white-felted undersides. In summer, purple-pink spherical flower heads 3-5cm across are borne on erect, woolly-textured stems
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Cirsium may be biennials or perennials with spiny leaves and typical thistle-type flower-heads
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe, Russia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a moist but well-drained soil in full sun; can tolerate some dryness and partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Wildflower meadow
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
If self-seeding is a problem then cut back hard after flowering
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally trouble free but powdery mildews may be a problem
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.