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Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills
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Cirsium discolor (Field Thistle)

Monarch Watch waystation flowerbed
Cirsium discolor (Field Thistle) buds and flowers at Glencarlyn Library Community Garden in July
Cirsium discolor (Field Thistle) stems, buds, and flowers in August,
Female dark form eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly on Cirsium discolor (Field Thistle)
Hoary to tomentose leaf undersides of native Cirsium discolor
Field thistle feathery seed heads in September
The plumose pappi of native Cirsium discolor (field thistle).

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Despite their importance to the ecosystem, native thistles have acquired an undeserved notoriety often mistaken for invasive, non-native thistles. Field Thistle is native* to meadows and forest edges mostly in the eastern half of the U.S. and can be distinguished from the weedy, European bull thistle by the white undersides of its leaves and spineless stems. It provides copious late summer nectar and seed to myriad winged visitors. Perennial Flower,** Leaf Underside, Fruit Height: 3–10 feet Spread: 1–2 feet Bloom Color: Pink to lavender, rarely white Characteristics Clump-forming biennial or short lived perennial Deep, narrow lobed leaves with toothed/spiny margins and hoary to tomentose undersides 100+, tube-shaped disc flowers on a head of green scale-like bracts with a white stripe and slender spines bloom about a month August to September Cypselas with white pappi distributed by wind Readily self-seeds (most fall fairly close to parent) Attributes Introduced species of weevils can cause significant damage; deer rarely damage Ethnobotanic uses; some parts edible Attracts bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds to nectar; finches to seeds; larval host for Painted Lady and some moth species Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Well-drained loam, clay-loam Buddleia species - Butterfly Bush Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade C. arvense, C. vulgare - Canadian & Bull Thistles Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Lythrum salicaria - Purple Loosestrife Flowering stems grow from a basal rosette after one to three winters Lower leaves may wither in dry weather *It is native throughout most of the Mid-Atlantic Region although it has not been reported in NoVA’s Arlington County. **A monarch butterfly feeds on nectar in September. Thistles are an important food source for monarchs migrating to Mexico. Use in meadows, cottage, or pollinator gardens Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills (top), Glencarlyn Library Community Garden and by Mary Free, private garden, Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Cirsium discolor (Field Thistle)

Despite their importance to the ecosystem, native thistles have acquired an undeserved notoriety, often mistaken for invasive, non-native thistles. Field Thistle is native* to meadows and forest edges mostly in the eastern half of the U.S. and can be distinguished from the weedy, European bull thistle by the white undersides of its leaves and spineless stems. It provides copious late summer nectar and seed to myriad winged visitors.

*It is native throughout most of the Mid-Atlantic Region although it has not been reported in NoVA’s Arlington County.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

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