Great for pollinators and flowering for weeks in summer, this ornamental thistle adds strong vertical structure and contrast to borders. It produces tall, upright stems topped with white, pincushion-like flowerheads, ideal for prairie-style or naturalistic planting. The dark green, spiny foliage forms a tidy basal clump, while the soft undersides of the leaves give added texture.

Cirsium rivulare ‘Frosted Magic’ is compact and manageable, making it a useful perennial for mixed borders or wildlife-friendly designs. Regular deadheading encourages more blooms and prevents unwanted self-seeding. Leave seedheads over winter for birds or cut back in autumn for a neater look.