Milk Thistle, Mary's Thistle 'Adriana'

Silybummarianum

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Silybum (SIGH-lee-bum)
Species
marianum (mar-ee-AH-num)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Deciduous
Good Fall Color
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
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)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Biennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Collect seedhead/pod when flowers fade; allow to dry
Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Gray, Louisiana

Eidson, Tennessee

Spring, Texas

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Gardener's Notes:

0
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
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G
Spring, TX | September 2010 | neutral

I was surprised to read here about milk thistle having no positive qualities. It is well known to be a powerful liver detoxifier and is ...Read More

S
S
(Zone 8b) | May 2009 | neutral

Yeah.. pretty and very useful to keep unwanted visitors out of the garden. I've put paper bags over the spent flowers so it could set see...Read More

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