Teasel Seeds (Dipsacus fullonum)

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) is a tall native biennial that can reach 60 to 200cm. In its first year it forms a broad rosette of prickly leaves; in its second it sends up a stiff, spiny stem with paired leaves that cup rainwater at their base, topped by egg-shaped, bristly flower heads. A band of small lilac florets opens around each head from July to August. It grows on river banks, damp grassland, woodland edges and rough ground.

Teasel is well known as a wildlife plant. The florets are worked by bumblebees, honeybees and butterflies, and the dried heads stand through winter holding seed that goldfinches in particular seek out. As a biennial it dies after flowering but self-seeds freely, so a patch will renew itself wherever there is a little bare ground.

It grows on most moist, well-drained soils, including heavy clay, in full sun or partial shade. It suits a field margin, a river or ditch bank, a hedge base, a rough corner or a large garden border. It can become dominant on bare, fertile soil, so it is best used where a bold, self-seeding plant is welcome rather than in a fine meadow sward.

Sow in autumn or spring onto bare or scarified ground, surface-sown and firmed in. Rosettes form in year one and flowering stems follow in year two. Leave the seed heads standing over winter for the birds, then cut back in late winter or early spring, and allow some seedlings to develop each year to keep the population going. Combine with our hedgerow and margin mixes or single species that share the same conditions.