This tall wetland native brings gentle color and friendly wildlife to the dampest corners of your garden.
Dunce-Nettle is a tall, biennial herb native to North American wetlands. It thrives in damp spots in the garden where it can reach heights of one to two and a half meters. You can plant it alongside other moisture-loving companions like Joe Pye weed, Boneset, or Swamp Milkweed.
Growing this plant from seed requires a bit of patience, as it is a biennial that completes its life cycle over two years. It needs a sunny or partially shaded spot with consistently high watering to mimic its natural wetland home. The plant grows at a moderate pace and develops deeply lobed, spiny leaves.
Unlike many of its prickly relatives, this thistle produces purple-to-pink summer flowers that lack sharp spines on their outer green parts. These gentle blooms are highly attractive to local bees, butterflies, and birds. Gardeners will also appreciate that its leaves and roots are edible and entirely non-toxic to humans and pets.