We leave a patch of our yard for wild plants to help our local wildlife. This year, we’ve got a good patch of thistle – either ‘bull,’ ‘milk’ or ‘common,’ depending upon who you ask. I’ve dubbed the patch ‘The Island of Thistley.’ My wife didn’t approve either.
I started leaving the thistle to attract Atticus, our resident goldfinch, and his charm. The goldfinches love the seeds, and they’ve got lots of company.
Thistles are beautiful plants, even if they have some sticking points. They’ve got lots of pretty purple flowers.
Thistles are beautiful plants, even if they have some sticking points. They’ve got lots of pretty purple flowers. The flowers attract lots of pollinators, including several varieties of bees. We’ve had a bedstraw hawk-moth, aka galium sphinx, feeding for several days. And, a kaleidoscope of monarch, swallowtail and a few other butterflies are steady visitors.
Here’s a great spangled fritillary. ( I think ‘great spangled fritillary’ sounds like an exclamation you’d hear in someplace like Idaho. “Great spangled fritillary, Uncle Fred won the lottery!”) This fellow looks like he has some tales to tell.
A black swallowtail is a regular visitor. We’ve got a good group of monarchs, I’ve counted 12 at the busiest time. Sometimes the flowers are busy enough that they need to share. The thistle is not far from our hummingbird feeder. The hummingbirds sometimes take a break from squabbling over the feeder to feed on the thistle. So far, I’ve seen only females feeding on the thistle, hope the males will get around to joining them. And Atticus, the American goldfinch for whom I planted the thistle. Sometimes one just wants a crown…..
