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Arctium lappa (Greater burdock)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
1.2m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Arctium lappa
Other names
Arctium majus, Lappa major, Lappa, Fox's Clote, Thorny Burr, Beggar's Buttons, Cockle Buttons, Love Leaves, Philanthropium, Personata, Happy Major, Clot-Bur, Gobo, Bardane, Niu Bang, Wu Shih, Gypsy Rhubarb, Burr, Greater burdock, Kiss-me-quick, Clite, Arcion majus, Arcion tomentosum, Lappa glabra
Genus
Arctium Arctium
Species
A. lappa - A. lappa is an upright, perennial herb with large, heart-shaped, wavy-margined, dull green leaves and round heads of thistle-enclosed, purple flowers in summer and autumn.
Arctium lappa is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Foliage has a peppermint fragrance.
Habit
Upright
Toxicity
Though leaves and roots are edible, hairs from the seeds are toxic if inhaled. Take care when harvesting seed.
Flower
Purple in Spring; Purple in Summer
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
If desired, cut back in late autumn after the leaves die down.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Arctium lappa (Greater burdock) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Prefers moist, neutral to alkaline, heavy to chalky soil in full sun but will tolerate most soil conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Arctium lappa
Other names
Arctium majus, Lappa major, Lappa, Fox's Clote, Thorny Burr, Beggar's Buttons, Cockle Buttons, Love Leaves, Philanthropium, Personata, Happy Major, Clot-Bur, Gobo, Bardane, Niu Bang, Wu Shih, Gypsy Rhubarb, Burr, Greater burdock, Kiss-me-quick, Clite, Arcion majus, Arcion tomentosum, Lappa glabra
Genus
Arctium Arctium
Species
A. lappa - A. lappa is an upright, perennial herb with large, heart-shaped, wavy-margined, dull green leaves and round heads of thistle-enclosed, purple flowers in summer and autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Foliage has a peppermint fragrance.
Habit
Upright
Toxicity
Though leaves and roots are edible, hairs from the seeds are toxic if inhaled. Take care when harvesting seed.
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Colour
Flower
Purple in Spring; Purple in Summer
Foliage
Green in Spring; Green in Summer; Green in Autumn
General care
Pruning
If desired, cut back in late autumn after the leaves die down.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Arctium lappa (Greater burdock) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Wildflower, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Prefers moist, neutral to alkaline, heavy to chalky soil in full sun but will tolerate most soil conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Wildflowers have become scarce in the countryside because we've lost many traditional habitats like hedgerows, hay meadows and chalk grassland. Wherever you… read more
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Arctium lappa
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