Flowers , Milk Thistle - (St Maria's Thistle) The Scottish National Symbol

Silybum marianum, Loved by Bees & Butterflies in Wildlife Borders, This brings bold beauty & heritage to the garden. This eye-catching annual or biennial grows to around 3–4 ft, with glossy, white-veined leaves, vibrant red-purple summer flowers & decorative brown-black seeds. Loved by bees & butterflies, it makes a striking choice for wildlife-friendly borders. Traditionally valued for its silymarin-rich seeds, milk thistle is widely associated with natural liver support & relief from occasional over-indulgence. The thistle has been Scotland's national symbol since the 13th century. According to a famous Scottish legend, an invading Norse army was defeated after a barefoot soldier stepped on a spiky thistle, his cry of pain alerting the sleeping Scottish warriors., Seed Count Approx - 15 avg 

  SOWING - Tap-rooted plant so it does poorly in pots. Best in garden in full sun, with poor to medium fertile, soil & moderate water. But will tolerate drought & even partial shade. Grow in poor to medium fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Protect from excess winter wet, Late Summer planting for rosette & full height plant in following Spring, No pruning required, remove flowers after bloom