Cirsium heterophyllum aka Melancholy Thistle

Cirsium heterophyllum, commonly known as the melancholy thistle, is an erect, spineless herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Native to Europe and western Asia, it thrives in diverse habitats such as upland meadows, grasslands, road verges, and open woodland. This clump-forming perennial exhibits long, narrow, non-spiny, dark green leaves with a fuzzy white underside. During mid- to late-summer, it bears broad thistle flowers that are white, adorned with vibrant, purple-pink anthers. Standing tall on woolly stems, this plant, also referred to as 'Pink Blush', adds a touch of elegance to any garden. Interestingly, historical accounts suggest that this herb was once believed to possess the power to alleviate sadness, with Nicholas Culpepper describing its effects as making one "as merry as a cricket" in 1669.