Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum'

Plant young plants out in spring in full sun and in a well prepared, moist but well drained soil. To prevent spreading, you can restrict spread by planting in a large container which can be sunk into the soil in the growing position.

Flowers appear in early Summer and, if dead-headed, will continue all through Summer to first frosts.

After approximately three years, once herbaceous perennial varieties have become established clumps they should be divided in order to retain vigour, and to propagate the plant. The simplest method is to carefully dig around the clump and gently pull it apart into fist sized pieces and re-plant immediately. The divisions can be re-planted straight into the ground, or, for more reliable establishment, into pots to overwinter before being planted out in the following Spring.