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Musk Thistle

Musk Thistle

Product number: 579720
Origin: Europe
Latin: Carduus nutans

In the Netherlands, this purple thistle occurs in the coastal provinces, becoming rarer the sandier the soil. Its height varies (depending on fertility or competition) from 30-200 cm. The saltier the location, the more rugged the plant! The flower heads nod (hence the name), giving them a comically human-like appearance…! Bumblebees, butterflies, as well as goldfinches and ants are regular visitors to this elegant, rugged biennial plant. The pith of the stems is (cooked) edible like asparagus and has a pleasant taste!

Nomenclature:
Latin: Carduus nutans
Dutch: Knikkende Distel
English: Musk Thistle

Sowing method: Sow in a seed tray, first give 2-4 weeks of warmth (18-22° C), then a cold period in, for example, the refrigerator (+4° C) for 4-6 weeks, then slowly warm up to room temperature again, after which germination will follow. Sowing directly into the garden soil is also possible; in that case, simply let it overwinter, and germination will occur in spring.

Sowing/planting time: