When the name thistle comes to mind, many garden owners and gardeners primarily think of annoying weeds. These are many different spiny plants from different genera, some of which can be very decorative.
What are the basic properties of thistles in the garden?
Thistles are prickly plants that prefer sunny locations and usually poor, dry soil. They have long taproots and are difficult to transplant. The best time to plant is in spring or autumn, pruning takes place in March.
The diversity of thistles
The life expectancy of different thistles varies considerably. There are quite short-lived two-year variants such as the scratch thistle, ring thistle or silver thistle. In the first year they only form the rosette of leaves. After flowering in the second year, these plants die. This is often hardly noticeable because these thistles often sow themselves. The donkey thistle, which can be up to two meters high, also belongs to this category.
Other thistles are perennials. Sweet thistles and globe thistles sprout new plants every year. They can be combined well with large-flowered plants such as yarrow, girl's eye or coneflower. But ornamental grasses also form a nice contrast to the prickly thistles.
Location and soil
No matter which type of thistle you have chosen, almost all of them like a rather lean and dry location. Only the purple thistle is an exception; it prefers fresh to slightly moist and nutrient-rich soil.
Planting and caring for it
Thistles are difficult to transplant thanks to their deep taproots. You should therefore sow two-year-old species in the desired location in the summer. Perennial varieties are best planted in spring or fall. The easy-care plants do not require any special care, but are difficult to remove from the garden.
Garden thistles in winter
Thistles are also a great eye-catcher in your garden in winter when they are covered with frost or snow. Therefore, you should not cut back these plants in autumn but only in spring. They don't need any special care even in the cold season.
The most important things in brief:
- sunny location
- mostly poor and dry soil
- mostly long taproots
- best planting time: spring or autumn
- Sowing biennial varieties: summer
- sow immediately at a later location
- do not transplant well
- Pruning: in March
Tip
If possible, avoid planting thistles directly on the path, many species can grow quite large and contact with them is often painful.
