Cirsium horridulum – Yellow Thistle – 1-Pint

Thistles are a distinctive wildflower in old fields and sunny roadsides, but most are introduced from Europe – occasionally you’ll come across a native one such as Yellow Thistle. The species is distinctive not only for its yellow flowers (most thistles are pink to purple in color), but for the way leaves just below the flower head fold upward and inward to envelop the involucre (the basal cup of the flower head). In New York, Yellow Thistle mostly occurs on Long Island. Our plants are grown from seed from plants nursery employee Mike Bazzani spotted growing near the nursery – a first record of the species in Ulster County! Biennial or short-lived perennial – allow the plant to go to seed for it to be maintained in your garden.

Thistles are a tremendously valuable wildlife plant. They’re a nectar source for butterflies and beneficial insects, their seeds are eaten by birds, and they’re used by Painted Lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) as host plants. Many native thistles are becoming rare and are deserving of inclusion in our landscapes to promote their conservation.