Guide to growing garden plants - Cirsium (Scotch Thistle)
Thistles are thought of as weeds by many people.
However with them being the symbol of Scotland many people away from home with thoughts of the highlands like to grow them.
Despite them being spiky in nature Cirsium have pretty heads of purple that can be dried.
They make great plants for a wild garden.
Cirsium also known as the Scotch thistle can reach a metre in height.
How to grow Scotch thistle - Cirsium
The seeds of scotch thistles can be sown in either autumn or after the last frost of spring. They should be sown at a depth of 3mm. If grown indoors first then Cirsium takes about two to three weeks to germinate at a temperature of 21 to 24 degrees Centigrade. The seedlings should be planted out in early spring, when it is still possible to get a frost with a spacing of about 60cm. They can grow in either partly shaded or sunny parts of the garden that has good drainage. Scotch Thistle pretty much cares for itself.