Marsh Thistle typically starts flowering in June.
Marsh Thistle
Cirsium palustre
Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre) is an upright, clump-forming perennial plant that can grow up to 1.5m tall. Its rough leaves are grey-green in colour and deeply divided into irregular lobes. In late summer, the plant produces tall stems of bright purple flowers which are highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. These flowers are then replaced in autumn with fluffy seeds that can be blown over large distances. Marsh Thistle is native to wetland and moorland habitats, often found on the edges of wetlands, ditches and ponds, where it helps to stabilize banks and control the spread of invasive plants.
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Division,Root Cutting,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
Flowers:
Purple Flowers
Sun:
Sun, Partial Shade
Soil:
Clay, Sand, Loam
Fruits:
Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Invasive:
Yes
watering
Marsh Thistle needs to be watered moderately, about once a week, aprroximately 6-7cm (2.5 to 3 inches) of water per watering, depending on the weather and soil temperature. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. During hotter weather, it may be necessary to water the plant twice a week. In the fall and winter months, reduce watering to once every 2 weeks. Avoid watering Marsh Thistle in the evening, as this can lead to fungal problems.
sunlight
Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre) requires full to partial sunlight for optimal growth and flowering. This plant species does best in sunny conditions where it receives at least 5 hours of direct sunlight a day. In areas with intense summer heat, partial shade may be beneficial to reduce water loss and heat stress. It is best if the sun exposure for the Marsh Thistle is consistent throughout the day and not concentrated in just a few hours. It will tolerate some light shade but does not do as well as when fully exposed to the sun.
pruning
Marsh Thistle should be pruned during the summer months, right after the plant has finished blooming. Pruning should be done selectively, with only damaged, dead, or diseased branches removed. The remainder of the shrub can be selectively thinned to reduce overall density. Avoid pruning more than 1-third of the top growth at 1 time as this can cause the plant to become less structurally sound.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Harvest Fruit
The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Cirsium palustre is in July and August.
