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Onopordum nervosum

Onopordum nervosum
Cotton Thistle, Scotch Thistle, Donkey Thistle, Reticulate Thistle

4,2/5
5 reviews
1 reviews
0 reviews
2 reviews
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I planted it last spring but it only produced leaves quite laboriously. It is known to be tall, but the one I planted only produces large leaves at ground level. I am waiting for the next growing season to see if it will develop as it should. One downside of this plant is that snails and/or slugs like it, which probably hampers its proper development. As for sunlight, it has enough without being in full sun from morning to evening, and the soil is dry in summer, which it quite likes.

Thomas T., 24/10/2020

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

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This tall thistle shoots large purplish inflorescences more than 2m (7ft) from the ground in late summer. Both highly ornamental and formidable, armed with sharp thorns from the grey, fluffy leaves to the thick, cottony white branched stems. It thrives in sunlight and prefers deep, somewhat alkaline and dry soils.
Flower size
10 cm
Height at maturity
2.50 m
Spread at maturity
80 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time July to September
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Description

Onopordum nervosum, also known as donkey thistle, is a monumental biennial botanical species. In late summer it produces large globular and purplish inflorescences over 2 metres (7 feet) above the ground, resembling giant centaurea flowers. Highly ornamental, the plant is also full of ambivalence, both gentle and formidable, armed with sharp thorns from the grey and furry leaves to the thick white cottony stems. A plant that commands admiration, like an ancient knight, modest enough to prefer rather chalky and dry soils, yet lavish enough to demand full sunlight.

Onopordon nervosum, widely spread in central Europe in uncultivated land, is sometimes called false acanthus or Scottish thistle. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and has a biennial growth cycle. This thistle dies in its second year of cultivation but generously self-seeds, especially in cracks in pavements, rocks, and bricks. In its first year, it forms a large persistent rosette of long whitish-grey leaves, covered in hairs, wide and spiny, deeply incised. In its second year, a huge branched stem covered in white tomentum, bearing numerous ridges, rises from the heart of the basal rosette, also carrying large spiny whitish-grey leaves. Each stem ends in a head-like inflorescence, composed of a green receptacle topped with purplish flowers arranged in a brush-like manner. The root is a thick, powerful taproot, making transplantation a little delicate for a well-established specimen.

In fact, the donkey thistle self-seeds wherever it finds the smallest crack within reach of its seeds. It is simply stunning when paired with blue delphiniums and pink roses in moist soil, but also blends well with giant grasses (Panicum virgatum, Miscanthus sinensis), Cephalaria gigantea, hollyhocks, or tall mulleins in dry gardens. A plant to be admired in a distant bed, away from pathways and children, for its presence and for the fascination exerted by its sharp, almost metallic texture, coupled with a somewhat futuristic appearance.

Onopordum nervosum in pictures

Onopordum nervosum (Flowering) Flowering
Onopordum nervosum (Foliage) Foliage

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time July to September
Inflorescence Flower head
Flower size 10 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour grey or silver

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2.50 m
Spread at maturity 80 cm
Growth rate fast

Botanical data

Genus

Onopordum

Species

nervosum

Family

Asteraceae

Other common names

Cotton Thistle, Scotch Thistle, Donkey Thistle, Reticulate Thistle

Origin

Central Europe

Product reference94751

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Planting and care

In nature, Onopordum nervosum is almost always found in uncultivated places, dry and arid slopes, bathed in sunlight. There, it rarely exceeds 1.50m (5ft) in height. What makes it particularly interesting is its predisposition to gigantism in rich and moist soils. In the clay of our garden, it always exceeds 2.50m (8ft) in height and the basal rosette often reaches 1.50m (5ft) in diameter. Obviously, as this is not its preferred growing medium, it only self-seeds with difficulty, and precautions must be taken to help it survive the first winter. But since it only lives for 2 years anyway, it is sufficient to sow fresh seeds in trays and replant them in the garden the following year.

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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 Back of border, Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 3 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions Prune the withered stems in late summer, making sure to leave some seeds.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time August to September
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,2/5
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