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Thistle like suggestions

clarawicksclarawicks Posts: 53
in Plants
Hi all
Year before last I bought some perennial collections as a newbie to cheaply try some perennials and work out what I like (and didn’t kill 😉). The upshot of this little experiment is that I love thistle like flowers: knautia, cirsium and centaurea. I also love bees, who knew 😊 So, to carry on my education, can you suggest anything similar, or complimentary, I could buy or grow from seed in my newly acquired mini greenhouse?
thank you
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Posts

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Echinops ritro (Globe thistle) ; Cynara scolymus (Globe Artichoke); these get pretty large but are bee-friendly ! Stokesia , Carlina ,Berkheya are all easy from seed too .
  • clarawicksclarawicks Posts: 53
    Omg I just googled all your suggestions, and I love the echinops and stokesia! Thank you so much. The echinops were pictured amongst cirsium rivulare Trevor’s blue wonder & Persicaria, both of which I have, with a space inbetween that needed filling :)
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    cardoons. You might also have a look at eryngium - not a thistle but along similar lines - to help you widen the repertoire a little ....
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    I have a dwarf species of 'Knapweed' growing at the front of my border ; not seen very often , but take a look at Serratula seoanei . Only reaches around 1' high and very late flowering .
  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,554
    Cirsium rivulare  atropurpureum is a beauty 😊 Deep Crimson thistle perrenial which can be divided each year 😍🐝😍🐝😍🐝😍🐝
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited March 2018
    Artichoke violetta di chioggia(sp?) is quite ornamental
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,554

    Cirsium rivulare'Atropurpureum' Is a beauty. Deep pink Crimson thistle 😊🐝😊

  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,554

    Cirsium rivulare'Atropurpureum' Is a beauty. Deep pink Crimson thistle 😊🐝😊

  • Beaus MumBeaus Mum Posts: 3,554

    Cirsium rivulare'Atropurpureum' Is a beauty. Deep pink Crimson thistle 😊🐝😊

  • clarawicksclarawicks Posts: 53
    Thanks for the ideas all. I’ve added the suggestions to my wish list and will order once the weathers more definitely spring! I’ve also found a centaurea I don’t have, Jordy.
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