Cirsium vulgare

Spear Thistle

The Spear thistle is a biennial. It has spined grey-green leaves with large pink-purple flowers. The flowers are a rich nectar source for pollinating insects. It is also the national flower of Scotland.

Contributed by @richard.spicer.7906

plant Features

Full sun to partial shade
Occasional watering
Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
Moist and free draining

plant information

Common name

Spear Thistle

Latin name

Cirsium vulgare

type

Biennial

family

Asteraceae

ph

5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral

Light

Full sun to partial shade
Frost

Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)

Soil

Moist and free draining
Water

Occasional watering

Plant & bloom calendar

Best time to plant
When the plant will bloom

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Spear Thistle is 0.30meters x 1.00meters

0.30 M 1.00 M

Cirsium vulgare

Flowering Season

From Late Spring TO Late Summer

Flowers throughout the summer in the UK

Planting

From Late Winter TO Early Spring

Care should be taken when planting as it is an invasive species thus it is best to restrict root growth from spreading. It has been designated an "injurious weed" in the UK.

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