Marsh Thistle
Cirsium palustre
Also listed as Carduus altissimus, Carduus chailletii
Also known as European Marsh Thistle, European Swamp Thistle
Climate Match for your location
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A spiky-flowered perennial thistle with purple flowers that thrives in wet meadows and marshy areas. Attractive to pollinators and goldfinches, it prefers consistently moist to wet soil conditions.
Why grow it
Marsh Thistle fills a niche for gardeners seeking nectar and seed sources in consistently wet areas where many ornamental thistles struggle. It establishes readily in poorly drained sites that would challenge Cirsium species preferring drier conditions, while reliably attracting native pollinators and seed-eating birds. Its purple flowers and structural foliage offer visual interest across seasons in riparian margins and rain gardens where few spiky perennials thrive.
Watch out for
This thistle self-seeds readily in moist conditions, so deadheading spent flower heads before seed dispersal helps prevent unwanted spread if you wish to contain it. The spiny foliage and stems can be uncomfortable to handle without gloves, and the plant's persistence means removal requires consistent effort once established.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
European native
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 spiky-flowered perennial thistle with purple flowers that thrives in wet meadows and marshy areas. Attractive to pollinators and goldfinches, it prefers consistently moist to wet soil conditions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Marsh Thistle grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Marsh Thistle fills a niche for gardeners seeking nectar and seed sources in consistently wet areas where many ornamental thistles struggle. It establishes readily in poorly drained sites that would challenge Cirsium species preferring drier conditions, while reliably attracting native pollinators and seed-eating birds. Its purple flowers and structural foliage offer visual interest across seasons in riparian margins and rain gardens where few spiky perennials thrive.
Watch out for
This thistle self-seeds readily in moist conditions, so deadheading spent flower heads before seed dispersal helps prevent unwanted spread if you wish to contain it. The spiny foliage and stems can be uncomfortable to handle without gloves, and the plant's persistence means removal requires consistent effort once established.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
European native
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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