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Cirsium heterophyllum (Melancholy thistle)
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2 hours care
per year
per year
1.2m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cirsium heterophyllum
Other names
Melancholy thistle, Cirsium helenioides, Curly head
Genus
Cirsium Cirsium
Species
C. heterophyllum - C. heterophyllum is an erect, clump-forming, spreading, herbaceous perennial with softly-spiny, elliptic to lance-shaped, sometimes lobed, mid-green leaves and erect stems bearing spherical, purple-pink flower heads in summer.
Cirsium heterophyllum is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading, Upright
Flower
Purple-pink in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Powdery mildew Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
If desired, cut back hard after flowering to prevent self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Division
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Where to grow
Cirsium heterophyllum (Melancholy thistle) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Low Maintenance, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in moist, well-drained soil if full sun. Can tolerate some dryness and partial shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
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
Botanical name
Cirsium heterophyllum
Other names
Melancholy thistle, Cirsium helenioides, Curly head
Genus
Cirsium Cirsium
Species
C. heterophyllum - C. heterophyllum is an erect, clump-forming, spreading, herbaceous perennial with softly-spiny, elliptic to lance-shaped, sometimes lobed, mid-green leaves and erect stems bearing spherical, purple-pink flower heads in summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Purple-pink in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in Spring; Mid-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
If desired, cut back hard after flowering to prevent self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Cirsium heterophyllum (Melancholy thistle) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 0.6m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Low Maintenance, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Wildflower, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in moist, well-drained soil if full sun. Can tolerate some dryness and partial shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
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 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5
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, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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