Pasture Thistle

Biennial  •  $6, 4-inch pot

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Height	3 to 8 ft
Spacing	2 ft
Sun Exposure	Full to Part Sun
Soil Moisture	Medium
Bloom Color	Light Pink
Bloom Time	Aug, Sept, Oct
Companion Plantings	Showy Goldenrod, Grass-leaved Goldenrod, Wild Senna
Special Attributes

Cirsium discolor

Our native thistles are phenomenal plants for wildlife and do not spread aggressively like many of their invasive counterparts, like the non-native Canada Thistle. Native Cirsium spp. can be distinguished from non-native thistles by the white undersides of their leaves and their biennial growth cycle. Pasture Thistle grows during its first year as a tight basal rosette of spikey leaves but will then send out a flowering stalk up to 8 feet tall during its second year that is covered with bright, Dr. Suess-like pink blooms that are visited by bees, butterflies, and the Ruby Throated Hummingbird. While Pasture Thistle ends its life-cycle following its flowering period, it is nonetheless easy to grow and will often self-seed in the garden.

Thistle seeds are sought out by several songbirds, including the American Goldfinch, and the spiked foliage prevents mammalian herbivory. Native Thistles spikes are said to be less painful than their non-native counterparts, but gloves may still be required at planting or if collecting seeds from this plant.

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