{"product_id":"swamp-thistle","title":"Fen Thistle","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun Exposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun to Partial Shade\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Moisture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, Wet\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sandy, Acidic, Well-Drained to Wet\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3'–8' (typically 4'–5')\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e July–September (sometimes into October)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pink to Rosy-Purple\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Resistant\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTolerates:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wet Soils, Partial Shade\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrought:\u003c\/strong\u003e Poor (prefers consistently moist\/wet sites)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttracts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Butterflies, native bees, hummingbirds, songbirds\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator Benefit:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-value nectar source supporting numerous native bees (including specialist bees) and butterflies; host plant for the swamp metalmark and painted lady butterflies; important late-season nectar for migrating Monarchs; seeds and nesting fluff used by American goldfinches and other songbirds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFen or Swamp Thistle \u003c\/strong\u003e(\u003cem\u003eCirsium muticum\u003c\/em\u003e): A biennial native thistle with rosy-purple, pincushion-like flowerheads about 2\" across, blooming atop tall, weakly-armed stems. Unlike aggressive non-native thistles, it has a simple taproot and doesn't spread by rhizomes. It's a high-value nectar plant, hosting the swamp metalmark and painted lady butterflies, and its late-season blooms are an important stop for migrating Monarchs. Goldfinches and other songbirds rely on its seeds and use the fluffy down for nesting material.\u003cbr\u003e(info from illinoiswildflowers.info, gardenia.net, and other native plant sources)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rochester Pollinators","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48976118939787,"sku":null,"price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0388\/4731\/6107\/files\/Screenshot_2026-08-23_at_6.25.20_PM.png?v=1787524074","url":"https:\/\/rochesterpollinators.org\/products\/swamp-thistle","provider":"Rochester Pollinators","version":"1.0","type":"link"}