Cirsium altissimum (Tall Thistle)

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. Tall Thistle serves as a vital host for the larvae of the Swamp Metalmark (Calephelis muticum) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) 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 challenging 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.