This week it’s:
Artichokes, cardoons and thistles
We look at some prickly plants loved by wildlife
THISTLES, whether we are talking about valued garden plants (such as echinops, the globe thistle) or weeds (like the Scotch or spear thistle, Cirsium vulgare), are loved by wildlife. Bees and butterflies flock to the nectar-rich flowers, birds (especially goldfinches) love the seeds and the caterpillars of many butterflies (particularly painted ladies) feed on the leaves. Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting thistle plants we grow in our gardens.
■ Why are thistles Scotland’s emblem?
James III, King of Scotland from 1460-1488, is believed to have adopted the thistle as the heraldic emblem of Scotland because its prickliness represented the defence capability
