Cirsium japonicum Rose Beauty - Japanese Thistl

Cirsium japonicum 'Rose Beauty' is a variety of Japanese thistle with exceptional flowering, large round bracts topped with soft pink to magenta hairy heads.

The generous inflorescences of this asteraceae can reach up to 5 cm (2in) in diameter, and proudly stand from August to September on a long stem with very few leaves that can exceed one metre. The deciduous, dark green leaves with a blue tint, are alternate, entire, and not very prickly. In fact, this variety of thistle has the fewest spines.

The 'Rose Beauty' Japanese thistle likes all types of soil, preferably dry, and thrives in full sun in the company of Echinacea and Rudbeckias, for example. Experiment with colours and feathery grasses such as feather reed grass or introduce this thistle in a slightly tame meadow to give it a bit of spice. You can make bouquets of dried or fresh flowers; this way, you will avoid self-seeding and promote flower regrowth at the end of the season. This variety is not invasive.