Carlina vulgaris 'Silver Star'

Silver Thistle is a large flowering biennial that makes an excellent cut flower. It will grow happily in the poorest of soils.

Fun Fact: the straw yellow flowers open in dry weather and close in moist weather. Flowers retain this property for a long time even after they are cut. Silver Thistle was initially called 'Weather Thistle' as flowers were often nailed over cottage doors to indicate when rain was coming.

Zones: 4 to 9

Family: Asteraceae

Type: Biennial

Height: 18 to 20 in.

Spread: 12 to 18 in.

Exposure: Full Sun

Soil Conditions: Dry, Well-drained, Poor, Lean

Bloom Time: July to September

Native Range: Europe, North Africa and Asia