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Annual Biennial

Carduus nutans
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

musk thistle

An upright biennial, with downy stalks, green, divided spiny foliage and spiny bracts. Large, purple, drooping flower heads appear from June to August and are around 3-5cm across. Flowers have no ray florets and the heads are surrounded by a collar of pink flower bracts

Other common names
buck thistle
dog thistle
see morebank thistle
ysgallen ogwydd

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Purple Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

A genus of annual or biennial flowering plants known as 'plumeless thistles', native to Eurasia and Africa, many recognised as a nuisance to agricultural and horticultural crops. They have hairy, spiny upright stems and toothed. lobed foliage topped with rounded, bristly heads in white, pink or purple

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Eurasia

How to grow

Cultivation

Occurs naturally in dry, grassy places including verges and dunes, especially on calcareous soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Wildflower meadow
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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