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Cirsium discolor (Field Thistle) | Native Plant Seeds

Foundation Seed – We personally collected this seed in S.W. Wisconsin and N. Illinois

Field Thistle (sometimes called pasture thistle) is a pollinators delight. Though thistles often have a bad reputation, this native member of the aster family attracts a wide variety of bees and butterflies. The seed heads are also a popular food source for song birds, such as gold finches. This biennial doesn't spread by rhizomes, so is not particularly weedy. Large, soft basil leaves form after the first growing season, bolting robust flowering stalks in the second growing season.

Prairie to Savanna (full to part-shade) | medium-wet to medium-dry soil | ht. 3-6' | Asteraceae (Aster)

Seed packet contains 20 seeds

Seeds require 60-75 days of cold moist stratification to germinate. This can be achieved by sowing seed outdoors in late-fall, or by folding seed into a moist paper towel, before sealing in a sandwich bag and placing in the refrigerator. This species can be slow to germinate, usually requiring somewhat warm soil conditions. Please note, Pasture Thistle is a biennial, flowering the second year of growth. As a result, for prolonged populations of this species flowering and seed set in following years is necessary.

• Foundation seed, responsibly collected from native plant communities.

We're located in the Driftless Area of Western Wisconsin. Contact us for special pricing on large orders. Bare roots and seed are seasonally available for shipping and printed goods are shipped year-round.
• These native plant seeds are intended for ecological restoration and native plant gardening. We do not declare or promote any health-related claims or use.
• We avoid the use of plastic packaging, instead opting for recycled paper packets, recycled mailers and waxed paper envelopes for small seeds and bare roots.
• The general recommended planting depth for native plant seeds is to sow the seed no deeper than the width of the seed. Planting seeds too deep will inhibit germination.