Position

Sun exposure:
Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
Aspect:
East facing, south facing, west facing
Position in border:
Back, middle

Soil

Succeeds on poor soil:
Acidic / Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Teasel, Dispacus fullonum, makes a fine, architectural garden plant. Tight, prickly rosettes yield tall stems of spiny purple flowerheads in summer. It's perfect for growing at the back of a sunny border, in cottage garden schemes and also at the pond edge. The flowers are extremely attractive to bees and butterflies, and the foliage is a magnet for aphids, which in turn attract ladybirds. If left to seed, the brown seedheads are a magnet for goldfinches, but also work well in dried flower arrangements.

Grow Dispacus fullonum in moist or moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Biennial, sow seed in summer to encourage flowering the following year. It self-seeds readily.

Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sowyesyes
Plantyesyesyesyesyes
Flowersyesyesyes

Dipsacus and wildlife

Dipsacus is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects, birds, butterflies/moths and other pollinators. It is a caterpillar food plant, has nectar/pollen rich flowers, provides shelter and habitat and has seeds for birds.

Is known to attract Bees
Bees
Is known to attract Beneficial insects
Beneficial insects
Is known to attract Birds
Birds
Is known to attract Butterflies/​Moths
Butterflies/​Moths
Is known to attract Other pollinators
Other pollinators

Is Dipsacus poisonous?

Dipsacus has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:
Is not known to attract Birds
Birds
Is not known to attract Cats
Cats
Is not known to attract Dogs
Dogs
Is not known to attract Horses
Horses
Is not known to attract Livestock
Livestock
Is not known to attract People
People
Plants that go well with Dipsacus fullonum
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