Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Cicerbita plumieri

hairless blue sow thistle

A branching, upright perennial to 1.5m tall with large, variably-shaped, lobed and toothed leaves that clasp the stem and pale purple-blue flowerheads borne in loose, terminal clusters in summer

Synonyms
Lactuca plumieri
Mulgedium plumieri
see moreSonchus plumieri
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Clay
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Name status

Correct

Plant range
Pyrenees to Bulg.

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back flowered stems to prevent self-seeding

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.