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Carduus nutans

musk thistle

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)

Overview

Carduus nutans is a spiny biennial in the daisy family that forms a flat leaf rosette in its first year and a branched flowering stem 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 m) tall in its second. The deeply lobed, dark green leaves carry sharp marginal spines and run down the stem as spiny wings. From late spring into summer the plant produces solitary flower heads 1.5-3 inches (4-7.5 cm) across that nod sideways on the stem, each ringed with broad, spine-tipped bracts beneath deep rose-purple to magenta florets. A single robust plant can carry dozens of heads and shed up to 10,000 wind-borne seeds, which spread it quickly across open ground. After flowering the plant sets seed and dies. Carduus nutans colonizes pastures, roadsides, and disturbed land, where its spines deter grazing and it crowds out forage and native plants. It is listed as a noxious weed across much of North America and parts of Australia. The taproot lets it persist in dry, compacted soil that limits competing vegetation.

Native Range

Carduus nutans is native to Europe and western and central Asia. It has spread as an invasive weed across North America, southern Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Suggested Uses

Not planted in gardens and managed as a noxious weed where it appears. The flower heads do draw bees, butterflies, and seed-eating birds such as goldfinches, which is the plant''s main wildlife value. Any use is limited to its incidental role in disturbed habitats rather than deliberate planting.

How to Identify

Recognized by spiny-winged stems, deeply cut leaves edged with stiff spines, and large flower heads that nod to one side. Broad, spine-tipped bracts curl back beneath the deep rose-purple florets. The nodding heads and wide bracts separate it from the more upright, narrow-bracted Cirsium spp. thistles.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 6'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from late spring through midsummer, mainly May to July, on second-year plants. The nodding heads open over several weeks, the lower ones first. Each head matures into a mass of plumed seeds within a few weeks of opening.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

rose-purple to magenta

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay rocky sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

As an invasive weed it is not cultivated and grows unaided in full sun on dry, disturbed, or overgrazed ground. It establishes in poor, compacted, and rocky soil where other plants struggle. Control centers on cutting or digging rosettes and severing the flowering stem below the crown before seed sets. Heads that have begun to flower can still ripen viable seed after cutting, so they are taken off the site. The plant relies entirely on seed, so preventing seed set over a few seasons reduces stands. Dense, healthy pasture and turf limit its establishment.

Pruning

Pruning does not apply to this weed; control takes its place. Rosettes are cut or dug below the crown, and flowering stems are severed before the heads open. Cut heads that have already flowered are bagged and removed, since they can still ripen seed.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic