Description
Stunning deep purple, thistle flowers displayed on erect stems up to 1.2m tall over spiny, dark green leaves. This unusual thistle flower looks equally at home in a Summer perennial border or a wildlife meadow planting scheme. This is a beautiful wild looking plant whose unusual flower colour always draws attention.
Height and spread: 1.2m Height, 0.6m Spread
Common name: Brook Thistle
Position in the garden: Full sun
Soil type: Moist but well drained
Flowering period: July to August
Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Goes well with:
Flowers - Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ (meadow sage), Foeniculum vulgate ‘Purpureum’ (bronze fennel), Astrantia ‘Large white’ (masterwort), Sanguisorba officinalis ‘Red buttons’ (burnet).
Grasses - Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtrau’ (tufted hair grass).
Care of Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum'
Congested plants can be divided from Autumn until Spring. If control is required remove flower heads after flowering to limit re-seedling.
Wildlife benefits
Pollen and nectar source for bees and hoverflies, nectar source for butterflies.
