Cirsium helenioides, July 2007, Fiona Guest.

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Melancholy Thistle

(Cirsium helenioides)

Producing large, purple flower heads, the Melancholy Thistle has soft leaves and is much less spikey than other thistles. It is also not as invasive as many thistle species.

It is found in the wild throughout the Borders and Highlands of Scotland in damp, open, or lightly-shaded places.

It grows up to 1m (3 feet tall) and is attractive to many species of bees and butterflies.

It is a very beautiful plant, stately and upright and is a good addition to a garden border or as part of a planting scheme to add colour and encourage insect visitors.

                                                  
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