spear thistle

Cirsium vulgare

Genus: Cirsium
Family: Asteraceae
Common Names: bank thistle, bird thistle, blue thistle, boar thistle, bull thistle, bur thistle, button thistle, horse thistle, plume thistle

About this plant

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

Growing Information

Height

1-1.5 Metres

Hardiness

Foliage

Evergreen

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Soil

ClayChalkLoamSandy

Care Guide

Cultivation

Naturally occurs in grassland and disturbed ground

Not Currently Available

This plant is not currently stocked at any garden centres on our platform.

Pruning

None required

Propagation

Classed as a harmful weed (to agriculture), so must not be planted in the wild or be allowed to spread to agricultural land

Pests

Trouble-free

Diseases

Trouble-free

Garden Uses

Uses

Wildflower Meadow

Season of Interest

SpringSummerAutumnWinter

Size & Characteristics

Height

1-1.5 Metres

Habit

Climbing

Time to Full Height

Two To Five Years