Dipsacus Fullonum | 9cm Pot

An architectural biennial with thistle-like flowers and everlasting seed heads. Position: full sun or partial shade Soil: moderately fertile soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July and August Hardiness: fully hardy but short-lived This much-loved biennial produces rose-purple or white thistle-like flowerheads, which top the long stems in July and August. It adds a structural element to planting, and is perfect for a sunny wildflower border or wildlife garden where it will act as a magnet to bees and goldfinches, which love to feast on the seedheads. These seedheads also dry really well, so will make handsome additions to everlasting arrangements in the home. Commonly known as teasel, its name refers to the spiny heads that were once used for raising or ‘teasing out’ the nap on fabrics. Garden care: Gather flower-heads for use in dried flower arrangements from mid- to late summer before the seedheads begin to ripen. Do make sure you leave some for the birds however – and still have some to scatter their seed, which will ensure a new batch of seedlings in the following year.