- Sow seeds directly outdoors from April to May, where they are to flower the following year.
- Surface sow onto well-prepared soil that has been raked to a fine tilth, then lightly rake the seeds in.
- Keep the soil lightly moist until germination, which usually takes 14-28 days.
- When seedlings are large enough to handle, thin to approximately 30cm apart.
- Allow plants to set seed if you wish them to self-sow and naturalise.
- Alternatively, cut back and remove plants before seed heads mature to prevent self-seeding.
Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) is a striking biennial native wildflower, producing tall stems topped with distinctive oval flower heads. Its purple blooms appear in summer, attracting bees and other pollinators, before developing into sculptural seed heads that provide valuable winter food for birds. Commonly seen along roadsides and on rough ground, it is ideal for wildlife gardens, meadows, and naturalistic planting schemes.
