You have probably never seen it, and for a good reason... this plant is on the verge of extinction. Yet, we cultivated it for 20 centuries! It was used in the textile industry for carding wool: Teasel... / carding...
Digital Drawing, Dipsacus sativus, Marion Leclerc, 11/22/21
It produces a large flower bristling with soft and elastic hooks. Once dried, it served as a comb for carding and untangling wool.
Its flower is big and fluffy. This plant can reach a height of 2 meters and fits well in flower beds. It is beautiful both in summer and winter.
It will wonderfully contribute to maintaining biodiversity in your garden as it produces abundant nectar that attracts bumblebees and butterflies. Its flower will produce an impressive amount of seeds that goldfinches will enjoy.
It is not an invasive plant and looks delightful as a dried bouquet.
How to save it?
You can order seeds for free from La Hulotte. (La journal le plus lu dans les terriers)
You will receive a few seeds that you can sow, and then you will need to pay a "tithe" by sharing your seed production with La Hulotte, which will redistribute them. You can sow the seeds in March, in pots or in prepared soil, in full sun or partial shade.
The rescue operation has been ongoing for several years, but don't think that a few years are enough; the rescue efforts continue, and the teasels are reclaiming their rightful place.
If you have information about other rescue operations of this kind, please don't hesitate to let me know. I will share them!
