This listing is for one packet of Pasture Thistle (Cirsium discolor) seeds. Each packet contains roughly 50 seeds. For best germination of native species, remember to scatter seeds October-January!

A.k.a. field thistle. A big ole native thistle with showy flowers and seeds beloved by goldfinches. Goldfinches even use the “fluff” on thistle seeds to line their nests! Reseeds easily in disturbed areas (like garden beds) but is a biennial and does not spread from rhizome like many non-native thistles. In established prairies with little disturbance, it may be pushed out completely for lack of space to reseed! Their taproot, quick growth, short lives, and diverse wildlife support make them an excellent addition to new tallgrass plantings. Hosts the Painted Lady butterfly!

Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture: Mesic, Dry Mesic

Soil Type: Part Loam

Height: 6’-8’

Bloom Color: Lavender

Bloom Time: Aug-Oct

Root Type: Taproot

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers attract a variety of insects, including many bees, many butterflies, and occasionally sphinx moths and hummingbirds. Hosts the Painted Lady butterfly, several moths including the Parthenice Tiger Moth, a few beetles, a grasshopper, and some smaller insects. Goldfinches readily eat the seeds and use the fluff off the seeds to line their nests. Rarely browsed by mammals due to their prickles.

Notes: Goldfinches nest later than most songbirds, around mid-summer. This may have evolved to take advantage of the first large crop of wildflower seeds maturing, which are both a food source and important nesting material. Goldfinches line their nests with the “fluff” on wind dispersed seeds. Thistle fluff is a favorite, but other species like milkweed and cattail are also used.