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Herbaceous Perennial

Cirsium dissectum
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

meadow thistle

A clump-forming native perennial of damp meadows, about 60-80cm tall, with mostly basal, mid-green leaves, white beneath, with soft spiny margins, and downy ridged stems bearing flowerheads of reddish-purple to 3cm long with spine tipped, downy bracts, flowering from early to late summer

Other common names
marsh plume thistle
ysgallen y ddôl
Synonyms
Cirsium anglicum
Carduus dissectus
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Red Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Cirsium may be biennials or perennials with spiny leaves and typical thistle-type flower-heads

Name status

Correct

Plant range
W Europe

How to grow

Cultivation

Often grown as a wildflower in moist, grassy habitats and best grown in an open situation in moist but well-drained alkaline soil with full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division of the rhizomes

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

If self-seeding is a problem then cut back hard after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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