Species Wavy Leaved Thistle
a purple-green flower with red-green needles, light-green leaves and stems

Wavy Leaved Thistle

Cirsium undulatum

Also Known As - Nodding Thistle
The Wavy Leaved Thistle (Cirsium undulatum) is a low-growing plant, native of North America, typically found in dry open woods and meadows. It has distinctive, wavy-edged leaves and deep purple flower heads. This thistle species is often used as an ornamental plant for its attractive foliage and lively bloom. Pollinated by bees and other insects, it offers habitat and food sources to valuable local wildlife. The plant has an aggressive root system and can spread quickly when planted in a landscaping situation, so caution must be exercised. Wavy Leaved Thistle is an excellent plant choice for adding texture, color, and movement to any garden.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Wavy Leaved Thistle requires regular watering. During the growing season, it needs to be watered once to twice a week, so as to keep the soil consistently moist at approximately 2''-4'' deep. During especially warm weather or periods of drought, additional water may be required. When watering, it is important to avoid over watering or saturating the soil as doing so can lead to root rot. During the winter, it should only be watered every 2 weeks (or even less depending upon the restrictions of your climate).

sunlight

Wavy Leaved Thistle needs full sun in order to thrive. They should get at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. They should be placed in an area that will not be shaded for most of the day. In the summer, they should receive plenty of direct sunlight and should be placed in a spot that receives full sun all day long. For optimal growth, they should be placed in a location that receives intense morning sunlight and mild afternoon sunlight. In the winter, they should receive less direct sunlight, but still need plenty of light.

pruning

It is recommended to prune Wavy Leaved Thistle (Cirsium undulatum) during the early spring, before the growing season starts. As with most pruning, the main goal is to remove dead, damaged, or diseased stems and branches. In addition, any branches that are crossing each other, growing too low, or growing too close to the ground, should also be removed. The stems should be cut back to the desired shape or to where the healthy and vigorous growth begins. It is also recommended not to prune more than ⅓ of the plant’s total growth in 1 season to avoid damaging the plant's root system.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Cirsium undulatum typically begins in July and ends in September.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Cirsium undulatum typically begins in July and ends in September.