Maky.Orel, no rights reserved (CC0) · iNaturalist

1 / 14

Lophiolepis eriophora

woolly thistle

Asteraceae Temperate Europe

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Lophiolepis eriophora, long known as Cirsium eriophorum, is a large biennial thistle that forms a spiny leaf rosette in its first year and a tall, branched flowering stem 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) high in its second. The deeply cut leaves are green above and white-woolly beneath, with spine-tipped lobes. In mid to late summer it bears large, almost spherical flower heads 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) across, the reddish-purple florets sitting in a dense ball of white, cobweb-like wool, the source of the common name. The heads draw bees and butterflies, and goldfinches feed on the ripening seed. It grows on dry, lime-rich grassland, banks, roadsides, and rough ground in full sun, tolerating drought and poor soil but not deep shade or waterlogging. As a biennial it dies after flowering and setting seed, relying on fresh seedlings to continue. Its size and sharp spines make it suited to wild and conservation plantings rather than small borders. The woolly seed heads stand into autumn before breaking up.

Native Range

Lophiolepis eriophora is native to Europe, from Britain and the lowlands through central and southern regions, on dry calcareous soils. It grows in rough grassland, on banks, road verges, and disturbed lime-rich ground. Its range centers on temperate Europe.

Suggested Uses

Grown in wildflower meadows, conservation plantings, and large naturalistic borders on alkaline soil, where it supports pollinators and seed-eating birds. Its bold form suits the back of a border or rough grassland. Its spines and size make it less suited to small or heavily used gardens.

How to Identify

Recognized by very large, almost spherical flower heads set in a dense ball of white cobweb-like wool, with reddish-purple florets, in late summer. The deeply divided leaves are green above and white-woolly beneath, with sharp spines. Second-year plants stand 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) tall. The cottony, globular heads separate it from other thistles with smaller or less woolly flowers.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'

Width/Spread2' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

red

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer Fall

Large reddish-purple flower heads open from July to September, each cradled in white woolly bracts. They are visited by bees, butterflies, and other insects. Fluffy seed heads follow and are picked over by goldfinches before breaking up in autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Green above, white-woolly beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.0(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

chalk loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Lophiolepis eriophora grows in full sun on dry, free-draining, lime-rich soil such as chalk and limestone grassland. Once established it tolerates drought and low fertility but not deep shade or wet, heavy ground. It is hardy and overwinters as a leaf rosette, surviving across USDA zones 5 to 8 without protection. As a biennial it is grown from seed sown in spring or summer to flower the following year, and it self-sows where the ground is open. No feeding is needed on lean soils. Removing most seed heads controls its spread while leaving some for birds.

Pruning

No formal pruning is needed for this biennial. Spent flower stems can be cut down after seeding, leaving a few heads for goldfinches if wanted. Removing seed heads before they shed limits unwanted self-sowing.