Pasture Thistle
By Lise Fracalossi
aka field thistle
Cirsium discolor
Native to: All of New England
Life cycle: Biennial or Short-Lived Perennial
Light: Full/Partial Sun
Soil Moisture: Medium to Medium-Dry
Height: 6’
Spacing: 1-2’
Blooms: August-October
Bloom Color: Purple
Natural Habitat: Human-disturbed or -maintained habitats, meadows and fields
Benefits: Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite (eg. goldfinches), Deer/Rabbit Resistant, Host Plant (eg. Painted Lady)
“Our native thistles tend to get grouped into the undesirable Thistle category, but they benefit many different bees, butterflies, and moths, along with hummingbirds… Goldfinches are particularly fond of the seed.”
– Prairie Moon Nursery
Pasture thistle (Cirsium discolor)
Photo (and banner image) by Antony-22 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0