Cirsium Species, Japanese Thistle, Plumed Thistle, Sea Thistle

Cirsiumjaponicum

Family
Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Cirsium (SIR-see-um)
Species
japonicum (juh-PON-ih-kum)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
This plant is resistant to deer
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
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)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Red
Medium Purple
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
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
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
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
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

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

Brighton, Massachusetts

Wallkill, New York

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Gardener's Notes:

0
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
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M
M
Brighton, MA | July 2011 | neutral

I have a similar plant that I've been trying to identify -- the flowers are exactly as they appear here (color, shape, bloom) however, th...Read More

D
west Houston, TX (Zone 9a) | May 2006 | neutral

A short-lived, native Japanese perennial that flowers in the first year, like an annual. The 1"-2" "thistle-like" flowers are deep magent...Read More

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