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Ptilostemon diacantha (Fishbone thistle )
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2 hours care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Ptilostemon diacantha
Other names
Fishbone thistle , Rosette thistle , Cirsium diacantha, Carduus diacanthus, Ivory thistle
Genus
Ptilostemon Ptilostemon
Species
P. diacantha - P. diacantha is a rosette-forming, evergreen biennial or short-lived perennial with long, narrowly lance-shaped, lobed, spiny, white-veined, grey-green leaves and upright, branching stems bearing clusters of purple, thistle-like flowers in summer.
Ptilostemon diacantha is: Evergreen
Habit
Rosette, Branching, Upright
Toxicity
Leaves are spiny. Use caution when handling.
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Cut back spent flower stems in early spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Stem tip cuttings
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Where to grow
Ptilostemon diacantha (Fishbone thistle ) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
City, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Ground Cover, Mediterranean, Rock
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, preferably sandy soil in full sun or partial shade. Protect from frost and wet, winter conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
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
Ptilostemon diacantha
Other names
Fishbone thistle , Rosette thistle , Cirsium diacantha, Carduus diacanthus, Ivory thistle
Genus
Ptilostemon Ptilostemon
Species
P. diacantha - P. diacantha is a rosette-forming, evergreen biennial or short-lived perennial with long, narrowly lance-shaped, lobed, spiny, white-veined, grey-green leaves and upright, branching stems bearing clusters of purple, thistle-like flowers in summer.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Rosette, Branching, Upright
Toxicity
Leaves are spiny. Use caution when handling.
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Colour
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Cut back spent flower stems in early spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Stem tip cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Ptilostemon diacantha (Fishbone thistle ) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
City, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Gravel, Ground Cover, Mediterranean, Rock
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, preferably sandy soil in full sun or partial shade. Protect from frost and wet, winter conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
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, 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: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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