Species Vancouver Thistle
pink-green flower with light-green sepals, needles, light-green leaves and stems

Vancouver Thistle

Cirsium x vancouverense

Vancouver Thistle (Cirsium x vancouverense) is a rare, unique plant native to the Pacific Northwest. It has a distinctive pink to purple flower held atop a tall erect stem with short downy foliage. The species thrives in moist, alluvial soils and is moderately drought tolerant. Its overall hardiness makes it an excellent choice for water conservation and landscaping projects in the region. Its tall flower stalks make it an interesting addition to any garden, attracting pollinating insects and adding an element of movement to the scene. Vancouver Thistle is a great way to bring local beauty to the garden.

Watering:

Frequent

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.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.