Species Bull Thistle
a purple-green flower with green needles, leaves and green stems

Bull Thistle

Cirsium vulgare

Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a stout, broad-leaved perennial of the sunflower family. It has a single, upright, unbranched stem reaching up to 3' in height topped by a single, purple flower head. The large, soft leaves are deeply incised and covered in spiny, white hairs. The thistle has a long taproot and is well adapted to a wide range of habitats including disturbed soils, pastures, woodland, and roadsides. Bull Thistle is native to Europe and Asia, but can now be found around the world. Its spines and bitter taste deter grazing animals, giving it a competitive advantage in environments with heavy grazing.

Watering:

Frequent

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

purple,black Fruits Ready In

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

watering

Meadow Thistle (Cirsium scariosum var. scariosum) require an average amount of water. During the spring and summer months, when the plant is in active growth, water it once or twice a week. When the temperatures cool off in the fall and in the winter months, reduce watering to once every 2 to 3 weeks. However, watch for signs of wilting or dry soil, and water whenever these are present. Watering at soil level is recommended, as overhead watering can cause leaf spotting and the spread of fungal diseases.

sunlight

Meadow Thistle (Cirsium scariosum var. scariosum) does best with full sun exposure. It requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day, ideally during the morning and afternoon for optimal photosynthesis and growth. For optimal health, regular watering and fertilizer application may be necessary depending on the local climate.

pruning

Meadow Thistle should be pruned when it begins to show signs of overcrowding or dieback. As a general rule, prune away any dead or damaged foliage and/or stems. Cutting back damaged or overcrowded stems will help the plant develop a denser and more attractive form. This annual herbaceous plant may also benefit from deadheading the flowers in order to prolong the blooming period. Pruning should be done in the early spring before the plant begins to grow actively or in the summertime after flowering. Pruning should be done sparingly, since it may undermine the hardiness of the plant.

Season

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

Harvest Fruit

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