Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) plant — close-up photo
Moderate to grow

Bull Thistle

Cirsium vulgare

Overview

Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) is a stout, broad-leaved perennial of the sunflower family. It has a single, upright, unbranched stem reaching up to 3' in height topped by a single, purple flower head. The large, soft leaves are deeply incised and covered in spiny, white hairs. The thistle has a long taproot and is well adapted to a wide range of habitats including disturbed soils, pastures, woodland, and roadsides. Bull Thistle is native to Europe and Asia, but can now be found around the world. Its spines and bitter taste deter grazing animals, giving it a competitive advantage in environments with heavy grazing.

Care Guide

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Watering

Average — every "7-10" days.

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Light

part sun/part shade, full sun.

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Soil

Clay, Sand

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Pruning

Best pruned in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, August.

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Propagation

Seed Propagation, Root Division, Cutting, Layering Propagation, Grafting Propagation

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