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bristle thistle

bristle thistle

Cirsium horridulum

perennial☀️ full sun💧 low waterZone 5aZone 8b

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.

Overview

Form
Upright
Growth Rate
moderate
Size
1.5–3′ tall × 1–2′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

Zone 5aZone 8b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 5a to Zone 8b

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SpringSummer

Succession Role

pioneerearly successional

Native to the United States

Native Range

Eastern North America

Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Function & Care

pollinator nectarywildlife benefit

Establishment & Care

Establishment
easy
Maintenance
low
Propagation
seed