Musk Thistle, Nodding Plumeless Thistle
Carduusnutans

<h1>Musk Thistle, Nodding Plumeless Thistle<br><i>Carduus</i><i>nutans</i></h1>

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                            <b>Family: Asteraceae</b>
                                    (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)<br>
                                                        <b>Genus: <i>Carduus</i></b>
                                    (KARD-yoo-us)<br>
                                        
                            <b>Species: <i>nutans</i></b>
                                    (NUT-ans)<br>
                            
            
                        
                        
                        
            
                        
                        
                        
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                                                        <P><B>Category</B></P>
                                                                        Biennials<BR>
                                                                                                Perennials<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Water Requirements</B></P>
                                                                        Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping<BR>
                                                                                                Average Water Needs;  Water regularly; do not overwater<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Sun Exposure</B></P>
                                                                        Full Sun<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Foliage</B></P>
                                                                        Herbaceous<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Foliage Color</B></P>
                                                                        Unknown
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                                                        <P><B>Height</B></P>
                                                                        12-18 in. (30-45 cm)<BR>
                                                                                                18-24 in. (45-60 cm)<BR>
                                                                                                24-36 in. (60-90 cm)<BR>
                                                                                                36-48 in. (90-120 cm)<BR>
                                                                                                4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)<BR>
                                                                                                6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Spacing</B></P>
                                                                        24-36 in. (60-90 cm)<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Hardiness</B></P>
                                                                        USDA Zone 3a:  to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)<BR>
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                                                                                            <P><B>Where to Grow</B></P>
                                                                        Unknown
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Danger</B></P>
                                                                        Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Color</B></P>
                                                                        Pink<BR>
                                                                                                Magenta (pink-purple)<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Characteristics</B></P>
                                                                        Unknown
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Size</B></P>
                                                                        Unknown
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Time</B></P>
                                                                        Mid Summer<BR>
                                                                                                Late Summer/Early Fall<BR>
                                                                                                Mid Fall<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Other details</B></P>
                                                                        <b>May be a noxious weed or <a href="http://davesgarden.com/terms/go/500.html">invasive</a></b><BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Soil pH requirements</B></P>
                                                                        Unknown
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Patent Information</B></P>
                                                                        Non-patented<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Propagation Methods</B></P>
                                                                        From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall<BR>
                                                                                                From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse<BR>
                                                                                                From seed; stratify if sowing indoors<BR>
                                                                                                From seed; sow indoors before last frost<BR>
                                                                                                From seed; direct sow after last frost<BR>
                                                                                                Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Seed Collecting</B></P>
                                                                        N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed<BR>
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