Alphabetical Plant Listing

Cirsium altissimum (Tall Thistle)

Tall Thistle, Edible Thistle, Indian Thistle, Carduus altissimus, Cirsium altissimum var. biltmoreanum


Cirsium altissimum (Tall Thistle) is a tall biennial or short-lived perennial producing a basal rosette in the first year and flowers in the second year. The upright, sparingly branched stems bear alternate leaves with deep spine-tipped lobes and downy white undersides. From mid-summer to fall, the plant boasts purple to pink pincushion-like flower heads, 2 in. across (5 cm), packed with small disk florets. Blooming for about 6 weeks, they produce copious nectar and are visited by numerous bees, beetles and butterflies. The blossoms give way to bullet-shaped achenes with tufts of cottony white hairs that facilitate dispersal by the wind. Finches, small mammals, and insects eat the seeds. Found in open deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, thinly wooded rocky slopes, areas along woodland paths, savannas, thickets, swamps, and meadows in the eastern and central United States, Tall Thistle has a central taproot and does not spread by rhizomes. It is not invasive or as difficult to control as non-native thistles.

  • Grows up to 3-7 ft. tall (90-210 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). Tall Thistle will die after flowering, but will readily self-seed in the garden.
  • Thrives in full sun to light shade in moist to mesic, well-drained soils.
  • Lovely in borders, cottage gardens, naturalized areas, and prairies and meadows. Good as cut flowers too!
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Grazing animals will avoid grazing the immediate area around thistles.
  • Propagate by seed.
  • Native to the eastern and central United States.

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Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Cirsium - Thistles
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 3' – 7' (90cm – 210cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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Superior National Forest, Flickr

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 3 – 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Cirsium - Thistles
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 3' – 7' (90cm – 210cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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