Cirsium Species, Creeping Thistle, Curly Head, Melancholy Thistle
Cirsiumheterophyllum

Family: Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Cirsium (SIR-see-um)
Species: heterophyllum (het-er-oh-FY-luh)

Category

Perennials

Water Requirements

Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage

Herbaceous
This plant is resistant to deer

Foliage Color

Unknown

Height

36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Spacing

18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Hardiness

USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)

Where to Grow

Unknown

Danger

Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling

Bloom Color

Magenta (pink-purple)
Lavender

Bloom Characteristics

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

Bloom Size

Unknown

Bloom Time

Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall

Other details

May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements

5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information

Non-patented

Propagation Methods

From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting

Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed