Cirsium Species, Creeping Thistle, European Swamp Thistle, Marsh Thistle
Cirsiumpalustre

Family: Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Cirsium (SIR-see-um)
Species: palustre (pal-US-tree)

Category
Biennials

Water Requirements

Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage

Foliage Color

Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
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)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow

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

Bloom Color
Fuchsia (red-purple)

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements
4.6 to 5.0 (highly acidic)
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)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed