tall thistle
Cirsium altissimum
USDA zones3 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size3 to 7 feet tall12 to 24 inches wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Pink
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Tall thistle (Cirsium altissimum) is a perennial for borders, meadows, pollinator gardens, and naturalized areas. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. Deer rarely make it their first choice. Pink blooms open in early to late summer and again in early to late autumn. Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and birds visit the flowers.
Pairs well with Joe Pye weed, New England aster, and Indian grass.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 30 more places. See all 34
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV.