Description
Sonchus fruticosus | Giant Sow-thistle
Giant Sow-thistle as many common names, including Madeiran Tree Dandelion, Shrubby Sonchus, Shrubby Sow-thistle, Rock Sow-thistle, Cow Tongue, Tongue-of-the-Cow, and Milkweed. In Portuguese, its known as Leituga, Língua de vaca, and Serralha da rocha.
Its a rare, perennial plant endemic to the islands of Madeira. It’s an impressive shrub native to the Madeiran evergreen forest habitat and typically growing quickly up to 6-8 ft in height, although 13 feet specimens have been found. It has branching palm tree-like woody trunks which support a 3 ft rosette of 12-18 inch long, glossy, toothed leaves that produce inflorescences that burst with bunches of bright yellow dandelion-type flowers. Giant Sow-thistle puts on quite the show in the back of the garden with its big, tropical leaves and overall appearance which makes us think back to Prehistoric times. Certainly an unusual and amusing specimen and conversation piece! Pollinators love the flowers, too!
Sonchus fruticosus does best in direct sunlight or partial shade, requires regular or little watering, prefers moist, well-drained soil, and is drought tolerant. It prefers a garden aspect facing south, east, or west. In southern regions the plant can overwinter outdoors, but for more northern locations it’s recommended to overwintered indoor or in a heated greenhouse. Outdoors, plants can survive a frost, with the top growth being shed while the roots survive. However, the roots won’t survive hard freezes.
To propagate seeds, it is recommended to plant indoors with heat, humidity, and light before the last frost. New plants can be propagated by root cuttings, seeds, herbaceous stem cuttings, softwood cuttings, or by air layering.
Type: Annual or Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 6-8 ft
Mature width: 3-4 ft
Hardiness zones: 9-11
