- Botanical name: Galactites tomentosa 'Alba'
- Common name: Milk thistle
- Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Annual
White
Silver
Variegation
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
Purple milk thistle, Galactites tomentosa, is an attractive annual thistle, bearing hairy, silver-green foliage with strong white veining on the leaves, contrasting with purple, thistle-like blooms from late-spring to midsummer.
Galactites tomentosa ‘Alba’ has variegated leaves, again with strong white veining, from which white flowers with a green eye appear in summer. It self-seeds readily but fertile seeds are uncommon – seeds must be collected and sown to propagate new plants for the following season.
Grow Galactites tomentosa ‘Alba’ in well-drained soil in full sun.
How to grow Galactites 'Alba'
-
Plant size
100cm height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front, middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Galactites 'Alba' and wildlife
Galactites 'Alba' is known for attracting bees, butterflies/moths and other pollinators.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Galactites 'Alba' poisonous?
Galactites 'Alba' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Galactites 'Alba'
