field thistle
Cirsium discolor
USDA zones3 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size2 to 6 feet tall12 to 24 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Pink , purple
- Foliage color
- Green, white
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Field thistle (Cirsium discolor) is a perennial for borders, pollinator gardens, and low maintenance plantings. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Pink and purple flowers open in early to late summer and again in early to late autumn, and butterflies, bees, and birds visit them. It sits low on the menu for deer. Goldfinches are fond of the seed, so leave the seed heads standing.
Pairs well with American Gold Rush black-eyed Susan, Musk mallow, and Sedge.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 33 more places. See all 37
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV; MB, NB, NS, ON, and QC.