Milk Thistle

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Milk Thistle

This striking member of the daisy family has thorny, variegated foliage and purple blooms that resemble large thistles. Remove the blooms before seeds mature to prevent the plant from self-seeding and becoming weedy. When cut, the plant produces a white, milky liquid, which is how it got its name. The plant has been used for centuries as a treatment for diseases of the liver and gallbladder. In its native range, it is an annual, but it may overwinter in zones 5-9.

 

Milk Thistle Overview

GENUS NAMESilybum marianum
COMMON NAMEMilk Thistle
PLANT TYPEAnnual, Herb
LIGHTPart Sun, Sun
HEIGHT3 to 8 feet
WIDTH2 to 3 feet
FLOWER COLORBlue, Purple
SEASON FEATURESSummer Bloom
SPECIAL FEATURESCut Flowers, Low Maintenance
ZONES10, 11, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
PROPAGATIONSeed
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Author: foxany

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