Musk Thistle – Pretty Pink and Purple

A recent bloomer on the farm (and along a bit of I81, from what I’ve seen) is this thistle, which I think is a Musk Thistle. This wonderful thistle guide from my alma mater helped me identify it.

I’ve found them growing mostly where they are in partial-to-full shade — at the edge of the property under a peach tree, and between two of the gardens under a cedar tree.

Must Thistles are biennials and are evidently pretty invasive. The little spots of pink are easy to spot along the interstate in the Shenandoah Valley. – Stacey Morgan Smith

*** This site is comprised solely of the opinions of its author, Stacey Morgan Smith. She works to promote gardening and tourism in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, from Roanoke to the Potomac River.***