Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum'

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plume thistle 'Atropurpureum'

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plume thistle 'Atropurpureum' RHS 1988
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Herbaceous Perennial
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An upright, clump-forming herbaceous perennial with spiny, dark green leaves. Branching leafy stems produce spherical, dark red flower-heads to around 3cm across, in July and August

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or 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
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Cirsium may be biennials or perennials with spiny leaves and typical thistle-type flower-heads
Name Status
Accepted

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 propagate by division in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • 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

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews