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Sonchus fruticosus (Giant sow thistle)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
2m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
20-50 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Sonchus fruticosus
Other names
Giant sow thistle, Phyllocephalum frutescens
Genus
Sonchus Sonchus
Species
S. fruticosus - S. fruticosus is a vigorous, tender, evergreen subshrub forming erect, palm-like, grey-green stems, each bearing a rosette of large, lance-shaped, lobed, glossy, mid-green leaves and open, branching clusters of yellow flower heads in summer.
Sonchus fruticosus is: Evergreen
Habit
Erect, Rosette
Flower
Yellow in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove any faded or dead leaves as necessary.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring or autumn at a minimum of 25C.
Propagation methods
Root cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Sonchus fruticosus (Giant sow thistle) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, City, Mediterranean, Containers, Sub-Tropical, Greenhouse
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow in fertile, rocky, well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Otherwise, grow in a container & overwinter indoors. May survive if top growth is killed by frost but roots do not freeze.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3), Indoor heated (H1)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Sonchus fruticosus
Other names
Giant sow thistle, Phyllocephalum frutescens
Genus
Sonchus Sonchus
Species
S. fruticosus - S. fruticosus is a vigorous, tender, evergreen subshrub forming erect, palm-like, grey-green stems, each bearing a rosette of large, lance-shaped, lobed, glossy, mid-green leaves and open, branching clusters of yellow flower heads in summer.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Erect, Rosette
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Colour
Flower
Yellow in Summer
Foliage
Mid-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove any faded or dead leaves as necessary.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring or autumn at a minimum of 25C.
Propagation methods
Root cuttings, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Sonchus fruticosus (Giant sow thistle) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1m after 20-50 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, City, Mediterranean, Containers, Sub-Tropical, Greenhouse
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow in fertile, rocky, well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Otherwise, grow in a container & overwinter indoors. May survive if top growth is killed by frost but roots do not freeze.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3), Indoor heated (H1)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
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, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3), Indoor heated (H1) | Tell us... |
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