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Onopordum acanthium (Donkey thistle)
1 hour care
per year
per year
2m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
1-2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Onopordum acanthium
Other names
Acanto bastardo, Chardon aux anes, Cardo timonero, Cardo asinino, Cotton thistle, Acanzio, Scotch cottonthistle, Toba , Donkey thistle
Genus
Onopordum Onopordum
Species
O. acanthium - O. acanthium is a large, upright, biennial with spiked silvery-bluish leaves and a tall purple-pink inflorescence emerging from late spring to mid summer.
Onopordum acanthium is: Deciduous
Habit
Erect, Erect flower stem, Spiky, Tall
Flower
Purple-pink, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Grey, Blue-green in Spring; Grey, Blue-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Onopordum acanthium (Donkey thistle) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Add to salads, Architectural, Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in moist- well drained soil in full sun. Will withstand chalk and acidic soil. Can grow in nutrient poor soil.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, 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
Onopordum acanthium
Other names
Acanto bastardo, Chardon aux anes, Cardo timonero, Cardo asinino, Cotton thistle, Acanzio, Scotch cottonthistle, Toba , Donkey thistle
Genus
Onopordum Onopordum
Species
O. acanthium - O. acanthium is a large, upright, biennial with spiked silvery-bluish leaves and a tall purple-pink inflorescence emerging from late spring to mid summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Erect, Erect flower stem, Spiky, Tall
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Colour
Flower
Purple-pink, Purple in Summer
Foliage
Grey, Blue-green in Spring; Grey, Blue-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Onopordum acanthium (Donkey thistle) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1m after 1-2 years.
Suggested uses
Add to salads, Architectural, Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Grow in moist- well drained soil in full sun. Will withstand chalk and acidic soil. Can grow in nutrient poor soil.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
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: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Onopordum acanthium
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