This native thistle makes an excellent addition to a pollinator garden or meadow. While thistle is often considered an unwanted weed due to its prickly nature, this thistle is much less spiky than the more common invasive varieties. This is a biennial that will flower and die in its second year, but will self-seed.

Native range: Eastern and central North America, from New Brunswick west to Saskatchewan and south to Texas and Georgia

Size: 3-8 feet tall, space 1 foot apart

Growing conditions: Full to partial sun, medium soil

Bloom period: August through October

Wildlife value: Attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators; essential for bumblebees, monarchs, fritillaries, painted ladies, and swallowtails; larval host for Painted Lady butterfly; seeds eaten by goldfinches and other birds; provides nesting material from seed fluff; attracts hummingbirds

Garden benefits: Attracts pollinators, goldfinches love seeds and use plant for nesting material