The Genus Cirsium
Family Asteraceae
This is a large genus of herbaceous plants native to Asia, Europe, and North America. A few species are cultivated as garden plants. One (Cirsium edule) is used as a food plant. Several are considered to be weeds.
The aster family, Asteraceae, is a huge group of herbaceous and woody plants that is found around the world. Only the orchid family rivals the number of species in this family. They may be annuals, herbaceous perennials, shrubs, trees or vines. Important garden plants in the family include tickseed (Coreopsis,) blanket flower (Gaillardia,) goldenrod (Solidago,) marigold (Tagetes,) ironweed (Vernonia) and zinnia (Zinnia.)
The aster family, Asteraceae, is a huge group of herbaceous and woody plants that is found around the world. Only the orchid family rivals the number of species in this family. They may be annuals, herbaceous perennials, shrubs, trees or vines. Important garden plants in the family include tickseed (Coreopsis,) blanket flower (Gaillardia,) goldenrod (Solidago,) marigold (Tagetes,) ironweed (Vernonia) and zinnia (Zinnia.)
Cirsium horridulum
Cirsium horridulum
bullthistle
This is a robust biennial or short-lived herbaceous perennial with very spiny leaves. Stout, leafy flower spikes grow to three to four feet tall with a few flowers clustered at the top. Flower clusters are large and showy. Flowers may be white, purple or white and purple. I do not expect everyone to get excited about their big spiny leaves, short lives, and tendency to spread by seed. However, the flowers of these native thistles do attract large butterflies and other pollinators. It is an appropriate plant for butterfly and wildflower gardens where it is native, from Maine to Florida and Texas.
I have not seen these plants for sale. Plants may be grown from seeds. Enjoy them where they occur naturally.
My plants are naturally occurring natives. Each spring, I mow around the clumps of spiny leaves in my yard until they flower and their seeds scatter in the wind. In my northern zone 9a garden, they are biennials that overwinter in their first year as a low, evergreen rosette of leaves. Flowers open in mid-March to early May.
This is a robust biennial or short-lived herbaceous perennial with very spiny leaves. Stout, leafy flower spikes grow to three to four feet tall with a few flowers clustered at the top. Flower clusters are large and showy. Flowers may be white, purple or white and purple. I do not expect everyone to get excited about their big spiny leaves, short lives, and tendency to spread by seed. However, the flowers of these native thistles do attract large butterflies and other pollinators. It is an appropriate plant for butterfly and wildflower gardens where it is native, from Maine to Florida and Texas.
I have not seen these plants for sale. Plants may be grown from seeds. Enjoy them where they occur naturally.
My plants are naturally occurring natives. Each spring, I mow around the clumps of spiny leaves in my yard until they flower and their seeds scatter in the wind. In my northern zone 9a garden, they are biennials that overwinter in their first year as a low, evergreen rosette of leaves. Flowers open in mid-March to early May.
Cirsium horridulum
Cirsium horridulum (white form)
Cirsium nuttallii
Cirsium nuttallii
Nuttall's thistle
This is a native biennial with slender, branched flower spikes to five feet tall or more in spring. The lobed leaves have small spines along the margins. Flower clusters are white to purple, much smaller than those of C. horridulum. It is an adaptable plant that seems to grow best in reasonably moist, well-drained soils in part shade or sun. Because of its spiny leaves, potential for general garden use is limited. It is probably best in butterfly and wildflower gardens where it is native, from Virginia south to Florida and Texas.
I have not seen this plant for sale. Plants may be grown from seeds. Like its relatives, it should be enjoyed where it grows naturally.
My plants appear in shady, woodland areas. They produce white to purple flowers late May through July.
This is a native biennial with slender, branched flower spikes to five feet tall or more in spring. The lobed leaves have small spines along the margins. Flower clusters are white to purple, much smaller than those of C. horridulum. It is an adaptable plant that seems to grow best in reasonably moist, well-drained soils in part shade or sun. Because of its spiny leaves, potential for general garden use is limited. It is probably best in butterfly and wildflower gardens where it is native, from Virginia south to Florida and Texas.
I have not seen this plant for sale. Plants may be grown from seeds. Like its relatives, it should be enjoyed where it grows naturally.
My plants appear in shady, woodland areas. They produce white to purple flowers late May through July.