FLASH SALES: 30% off selected Clematis until Tuesday night!
Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.

Carlina acaulis subsp. simplex

Carlina acaulis subsp. simplex
Stemless carline thistle, Dwarf carline thistle

Be the first to leave a review

Shipping country:

Select delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

This carline is a curious species of thistle with a very short stem, forming a wide rosette of spiny leaves of a green-greyish colour. In late spring, it produces a single head with a creamy centre that becomes beige, adorned with numerous white-silvery bracts that reflect light like small mirrors. An original perennial for dry and poor soils. Perfect for bouquets.
Flower size
8 cm
Height at maturity
20 cm
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
plantfit-full

Would this plant suit my garden?

Set up your Plantfit profile →

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time June to August
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

Carlina acaulis subsp. simplex, also known as the Short-stemmed Carline or the Alpine Carline, is a rare and beautiful species of thistle, forming a large rosette of very spiny, dark greenish-grey leaves supported by a very short stem. From late spring to mid-summer, this perennial produces a single head from its centre. This head bears a fluffy cream to beige centre and is adorned with numerous silver-white bracts that reflect light like tiny mirrors. This flower-plant is a treasure for dry, infertile, stony soil. It is ideal for rock gardens. Its flowers are perfect for dried bouquets.

 

The stemless carline belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to southern and eastern Europe, where it grows on arid mountain slopes. This thistle is accustomed to well-drained, sunny, poor, and limestone soils. It is an herbaceous perennial with a limited lifespan, presenting a 50cm (20in) wide rosette habit. Flowering occurs from May-June to August-September. The plant develops a 20 to 40cm (8 to 16in) tall stem in the centre of each rosette, with a collar of leaves at its end, directly supporting a 'flower' of an 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) diameter head. The fluffy central disk is surrounded by tough, papyraceous bracts of a white-silver colour. This head closes when the weather is humid or rainy. The fruit is a hairy achene topped with feathery bristles. The semi-evergreen foliage is composed of long, spreading, glabrous leaves, slightly villous on the underside, sometimes 30cm (12in) long, with deeply cut edges and sharp spines. This plant has a taproot that firmly anchors it in stony terrain.

 

This remarkably sculptural plant combines beautifully with other rock garden perennials such as blue fescue, creeping sedums, dwarf wormwoods, or small lavenders. The stemless Carlina Simplex creates a unique effect in alpine troughs and other containers. One can take inspiration from nature by placing it along paths, at the edge of groves, in light deciduous, coniferous, or mixed woodlands, in dry meadows, or on rocky slopes. It can be included in dried bouquets. In the past, dried flowers were used as barometers.

 

 

 

Carlina acaulis subsp. simplex in pictures

Carlina acaulis subsp. simplex (Flowering) Flowering
Carlina acaulis subsp. simplex (Foliage) Foliage
Carlina acaulis subsp. simplex (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time June to August
Inflorescence Flower head
Flower size 8 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen
Foliage colour light green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 20 cm
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate slow

Botanical data

Genus

Carlina

Species

acaulis subsp. simplex

Family

Asteraceae

Other common names

Stemless carline thistle, Dwarf carline thistle

Origin

Alps

Planting and care

Plant it in a dry, warm and sunny location. It requires perfectly drained, rocky, poor soil. Its root can rot in wet soil during winter. It prefers limestone soils and loses its compact habit in fertile soils. Remove faded flowers to prevent the plant from premature death. If the flowers are not cut, the young plant can self-seed in light soils.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, rocky, well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions Remove faded flowers to prevent the plant from premature death.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time July to August
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

This item has not been reviewed yet - be the first to leave a review about it.

Leave a review →

Summer flowering perennials

Haven't found what you were looking for?