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Silybum marianum (Milk thistle)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
2 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Silybum marianum
Other names
Milk thistle, St Mary's thistle , Mary's thistle , Our Lady's milk thistle , Our Lady's thistle , Lady's thistle , Leaves of Mary , Blessed Mary's thistle, Blessed thistle, Holy thistle, Carduus marianus, Cardus marianus, Mediterranean milk thistle, Variegated thistle , Saint Mary's thistle , Marian thistle, Scotch thistle, Lady's milk
Genus
Silybum Silybum
Species
S. marianum - S. marianum is a biennial plant with lobed, prickly, ovate leaves that have conspicuous, white veins. It bears, purple-pink, thistle-like flowers in summer.
Silybum marianum is: Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Rosette
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
Veined, Green, White in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Pruning
Remove faded flower stems.
Propagation
Sow seed in situ in late spring or early summer.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Silybum marianum (Milk thistle) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 2 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Grow in poor or moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Considered an invasive weed in many introduced areas.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
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
Silybum marianum
Other names
Milk thistle, St Mary's thistle , Mary's thistle , Our Lady's milk thistle , Our Lady's thistle , Lady's thistle , Leaves of Mary , Blessed Mary's thistle, Blessed thistle, Holy thistle, Carduus marianus, Cardus marianus, Mediterranean milk thistle, Variegated thistle , Saint Mary's thistle , Marian thistle, Scotch thistle, Lady's milk
Genus
Silybum Silybum
Species
S. marianum - S. marianum is a biennial plant with lobed, prickly, ovate leaves that have conspicuous, white veins. It bears, purple-pink, thistle-like flowers in summer.
Native to
Mediterranean, Southwestern Europe
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Erect flower stem, Rosette
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Colour
Flower
Purple in Summer
Foliage
Veined, Green, White in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
General care
Pruning
Remove faded flower stems.
Propagation
Sow seed in situ in late spring or early summer.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Silybum marianum (Milk thistle) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m after 2 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Grow in poor or moderately fertile, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Protect from excessive winter wet. Considered an invasive weed in many introduced areas.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
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 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: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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