Fuller's Teasel

Dipsacus fullonum

Native to:
Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, East Aegean Is., France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Caprifoliaceae
Genus:
Dipsacus
Species:
Dipsacus fullonum
USDA Symbol:
DIFU2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Biennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
200 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
pink, lavender, purple, white

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Northern Burdock Borer (Papaipema arctivorens), Walker’s Atlas Moth (Samia walkeri)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Morrison bumble bee (Bombus morrisoni), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
bees, butterflies, birds
Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
often found in disturbed areas and meadows

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–28 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate readily in spring after cold stratification or direct fall sowing. Light may improve germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society