Bristle Thistle
Cirsium horridulum
Also listed as Carduus horridulus, Cirsium chrismarii
Also known as Horrid Thistle, Horrible Thistle, Bristly Thistle
Climate Match for your location
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A native thistle with spiny, deeply lobed leaves and distinctive purple-red to yellow tubular flowers that attract pollinators. Tolerates poor, dry soils and is suitable for naturalized areas and xeriscaping.
Why grow it
Bristle thistle establishes readily in poor, compacted, or degraded soils where many ornamentals struggle, making it useful for erosion control and site stabilization without amendment. Its extended bloom period and nectar-rich flowers support a broader range of native pollinators than many cultivated alternatives. Where native thistles are appropriate for the region, this species offers reliable performance with minimal maintenance once established.
Watch out for
Bristle thistle can self-seed prolifically in open, disturbed areas, so deadheading or containment may be necessary if you wish to prevent volunteer seedlings in adjacent spaces. The spiny foliage and stems require careful handling during weeding or maintenance work. Young plants may take two seasons to reach flowering maturity, so patience is needed when establishing from seed.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native thistle with spiny, deeply lobed leaves and distinctive purple-red to yellow tubular flowers that attract pollinators. Tolerates poor, dry soils and is suitable for naturalized areas and xeriscaping.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Bristle Thistle grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Bristle thistle establishes readily in poor, compacted, or degraded soils where many ornamentals struggle, making it useful for erosion control and site stabilization without amendment. Its extended bloom period and nectar-rich flowers support a broader range of native pollinators than many cultivated alternatives. Where native thistles are appropriate for the region, this species offers reliable performance with minimal maintenance once established.
Watch out for
Bristle thistle can self-seed prolifically in open, disturbed areas, so deadheading or containment may be necessary if you wish to prevent volunteer seedlings in adjacent spaces. The spiny foliage and stems require careful handling during weeding or maintenance work. Young plants may take two seasons to reach flowering maturity, so patience is needed when establishing from seed.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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