A native British wildflower of grasslands and waste ground. Goldfinches love the seed in autumn and the flowers are also popular with bees and butterflies. Grows to 2.5m high and 75cm across in full sun or partial shade in almost any soil. Blue flowers are produced from June to September. This one is spiky!
Teasel / Dipsacus fullonum
Position: Flower border
Flowering months: May_/ Jun / Jul
Light: Full sun / Mix of sun and shade / Dappled shade
Soil: Clay / Loam / Chalk / Sand
Tested in our local soil (t.i.o.l.s.): Yes
Drainage: Well drained / Moist but well-drained / Moisture-retentive / Poor drainage
Life cycle: Biennial (flowers in its second year and then dies)
Hardiness: Fully hardy (in Bristol winters)
Over winter: The leaves die back over the first winter (deciduous), however, after the plant has died in its second year, the seed heads remain intact and make an attractive feature, as well as feeding garden birds, over winter.