Cirsium handelii WO-0030

[Ex. Sichuan Chengdu, Xiling Xueshan, China]

An interesting and unusual, tall, perennial species new to cultivation, native to the forests, forest margins, thickets and grasslands of Sichuan and NW and SW Yunnan. It produces rosettes of soft, spikey leaves with erect stems, which bear many nodding, purple flower heads at the tops. Fantastic plant for bees and other insects. Flowering May to September. Height 1.7m. Originally collected by August Wu and Bjørnar Olsen in Xiling Xueshan, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Seeds should germinate well at 15 – 20°C, but I always sow thistle seeds in the autumn, for germination in the spring. Sun to part shade in moisture retentive soil. From five plants I lost four to rot over the winter, so a little protection from the winter wet would help.

HARVESTED: 2023*

APPROX. 40 SEEDS