Bull Thistle
Cirsium vulgare
zones 3-6
25 seeds
Bull Thistles are biennials with spiny leaves and prickly thistle-like flower heads. These flower heads are unusual in appearance, rich in color and are held over a rosette of plum-green colored spiny and leafless foliage. These plants will flower all year round if the weather remains mild. If this is not the case it will rest during the cold winter months and re-bloom again in the spring season. Bull Thistles look highly attractive in beds and borders within wildlife gardens, wildflower meadows and cottage gardens. Cirsium vulgare is native throughout most of Europe, Western Asia, and northwestern Africa. Bull Thistle is the national flower of Scotland. It has naturalized in North America, Africa, and Australia and is considered an invasive weed in some areas.
While considered a weed in many places, Bull Thistle does have edible and medicinal uses. The tender, young, peeled stalk of Bull Thistle is edible juicy and delicious raw. This thistle has also been used medicinally for generations by Native Americans for joint issues, such as rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome.
Directly sow seed in prepared growing area in autumn before heavy frost. Or propagate from seed sown in a cold frame during the spring season. Water generously after planting and apply a generous layer of mulch to retain moisture levels in the soil. Deadhead Bull Thistle during the autumn when it starts to get cooler, to prevent self-seeding.
Cirsium vulgare
zones 3-6
25 seeds
Bull Thistles are biennials with spiny leaves and prickly thistle-like flower heads. These flower heads are unusual in appearance, rich in color and are held over a rosette of plum-green colored spiny and leafless foliage. These plants will flower all year round if the weather remains mild. If this is not the case it will rest during the cold winter months and re-bloom again in the spring season. Bull Thistles look highly attractive in beds and borders within wildlife gardens, wildflower meadows and cottage gardens. Cirsium vulgare is native throughout most of Europe, Western Asia, and northwestern Africa. Bull Thistle is the national flower of Scotland. It has naturalized in North America, Africa, and Australia and is considered an invasive weed in some areas.
While considered a weed in many places, Bull Thistle does have edible and medicinal uses. The tender, young, peeled stalk of Bull Thistle is edible juicy and delicious raw. This thistle has also been used medicinally for generations by Native Americans for joint issues, such as rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome.
Directly sow seed in prepared growing area in autumn before heavy frost. Or propagate from seed sown in a cold frame during the spring season. Water generously after planting and apply a generous layer of mulch to retain moisture levels in the soil. Deadhead Bull Thistle during the autumn when it starts to get cooler, to prevent self-seeding.
Cirsium vulgare
zones 3-6
25 seeds
Bull Thistles are biennials with spiny leaves and prickly thistle-like flower heads. These flower heads are unusual in appearance, rich in color and are held over a rosette of plum-green colored spiny and leafless foliage. These plants will flower all year round if the weather remains mild. If this is not the case it will rest during the cold winter months and re-bloom again in the spring season. Bull Thistles look highly attractive in beds and borders within wildlife gardens, wildflower meadows and cottage gardens. Cirsium vulgare is native throughout most of Europe, Western Asia, and northwestern Africa. Bull Thistle is the national flower of Scotland. It has naturalized in North America, Africa, and Australia and is considered an invasive weed in some areas.
While considered a weed in many places, Bull Thistle does have edible and medicinal uses. The tender, young, peeled stalk of Bull Thistle is edible juicy and delicious raw. This thistle has also been used medicinally for generations by Native Americans for joint issues, such as rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome.
Directly sow seed in prepared growing area in autumn before heavy frost. Or propagate from seed sown in a cold frame during the spring season. Water generously after planting and apply a generous layer of mulch to retain moisture levels in the soil. Deadhead Bull Thistle during the autumn when it starts to get cooler, to prevent self-seeding.