Thistles belong to a broad genus with annual to perennial plants out of which a couple of species have showy, bright lilac flower heads above strongly serrated, spiny leaves. Easily grown in any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. All species offered on this page do not have an invasive habit and are easily controlled. Onopordum or Donkey Thistles are very ornamental biennials with huge spiny leaves and tall stems topped by rich lilac flower heads. Seed heads are an excellent nutrition source for wild birds in autumn and winter. In appropriate locations plants might behave slightly invasive if self-sown seedlings are not controlled from time to time. Mary Thistle is an ornamental, solitary biannual plant from the Mediterranean and is suitable for a sunny position in any well draining soil. It has prickly leaves in a basal rosette with nice white leaf patterns and rosy-violet (rarely pure white) large flower heads which are much beloved by bees and butterflies. Later the seedheads attract seed-loving birds from summer to early autumn. Sow in any well drained soil in full sun from early autumn to late spring. All species are very fast growing. Transplant to the final spot as soon as seedlings are strong enough. Sow in any well drained soil in full sun from early autumn to late spring. All species are very fast growing. Transplant as soon as seedlings are strong enough. All are USDA Climate Zone 6. 20 seeds per package. |
Carduus defloratus (Mountain Thistle)30 (50)cm, Mountain Thistle is an utmost beautiful, non-invasive perennial species from mountain meadows in the Pyrenees and from the Alps to the Balkans. It makes an upright stalk crowned by several nodding, lilac flowers above serrated, spiny leaves. For any rich, well drained soil in full sun. Excellent for the rock garden. V-VII. |
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seed package7382 | € 4,99 |
Carduus nutans (Nodding Thistle)40 (100)cm, Nodding Thistle is an utmost beautiful, non-invasive annual to biannual species from Central Europe with an upright stalk crowned by several nodding, lilac flowers above serrated, spiny leaves. For any rich, well drained soil in full sun. V-VII. |
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seed package 4532 | € 4,99 |
Onopordum acanthium (Donkey Thistle)250 (400)cm, Donkey Thistle is a giant biannual with showy silvery leaves which may gain a up to 150cm in length. The very tall inflorescence emerges from a dense basal leaf rosette and may reach more than 400cm in height from late spring to mid summer! A very easy going and out of the ordinary plant for any rich, well drained soil in full sun. V-VIII. |
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seed package 1472 | € 1,99* |
Onopordum cyprium (Cyprian Donkey Thistle) Exclusive100 (140)cm, Cyprian Donkey Thistle is a biannual species native of sunny rocky sites in the Paphos and Larnaca area on Cyprus. A rarely cultivated plant with elegant upright stems crowned by showy pale purple to dark rose flower heads above silvery-green, spiny leaves. Easily cultivated in any rich, well drained soil in full sun. V-VII. |
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seed package 4582 | € 4,99* |
Onopordum illyricum (Illyarian Donkey Thistle) Exclusive150 (200)cm, Illyrian Donkey Thistle is a biannual species native of sunny rocky sites throughout the Mediterranean. A rarely seen plant with stout upright, spiny stems crowned by showy dark purple flower heads above ornamental silvery-green, spiny leaves. Easily cultivated in any rich, well drained soil in full sun. VI-VIII. |
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seed package 4583 | € 2,99* | |||
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Onopordum nervosum (Iberian Giant Thistle)180 (250)cm, Iberian Giant Thistle is an imposing large biannual species from the Iberian peninsula and has showy, large greyish-green leaves with whitish nerves and a tall inflorescence with rich purple flower heads. A very showy species for any rich, well drained soil in full sun. V-VIII. |
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seed package9324 | € 3,99* |
Silybum marianum (St. Mary's Thistle)170 (200)cm, St. Mary's Thistle is an ornamental species with a flat and large rosette of large, prickly leaves, most strikingly lined and marbled with broad white veins, and large heads of rosy-purple (rarely white) flowers. It is usually growing as a biannual and will readily selfsow. V-VII. |
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seed package (purple flowering)1782 | € 1,99 | ||||
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seed package (white flowering)9092 | € 2,99 | ||||
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