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Annual Biennial
Cirsium vulgare
spear thistle
A handsome biennial that rises to a metre in height, the spear thistle bears spiny stems and pinnately lobed, pointed leaves. Thistle flowers bloom singly or in clusters from midsummer through to early autumn
Other common names
bank thistlebird thistle
see moreblue thistle
boar thistle
bull thistle
bur thistle
button thistle
horse thistle
plume thistle
Synonyms
Cirsium lanceolatumCarduus lanceolatus
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
pH
Colour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
Exposure
Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Cirsium may be biennials or perennials with spiny leaves and typical thistle-type flower-heads
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- N hemisphere
How to grow
Cultivation
Naturally occurs in grassland and disturbed ground
Propagation
Classed as a harmful weed (to agriculture), so must not be planted in the wild or be allowed to spread to agricultural land
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildflower meadow
Pruning
None required
Pests
Trouble-free
Diseases
Trouble-free
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