Cirsium vulgare

RHS Plant Profile
spear thistle

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spear thistle RHS
spear thistle RHS
spear thistle RHS

Other common names

bank thistle, bird thistle, blue thistle, boar thistle, bull thistle, bur thistle, button thistle, horse thistle, plume thistle, march ysgallen

Synonyms

Cirsium lanceolatum
Carduus lanceolatus

Plants for pollinators
Annual Biennial

A handsome biennial that rises to a metre in height, the spear thistle bears spiny stems and pinnately lobed, pointed leaves. Pinkish-purple thistle flowers bloom singly or in clusters from midsummer through to early autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
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 occuring in disturbed ground or grassy places, spear thistle provides a food source for a range of insects and birds. Its large, spiny leaf rosettes, and ability to spread rapidly by seed, can make it a serious agricultural weed (see creeping thistle for more information). However, it can be tolerated in less-cultivated parts of the garden for its wildlife value and handsome looks - just watch out for the very sharp spines

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required, but prompt deadheading will help keep it under control

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free