Transformational Gardening


Bull Thistle (Spear Thistle, Roadside Thistle, Plumed Thistle) (Cirsium vulgare) (Synonym: Cirsium lanceolatum): Images

Date Location Notes Images
June 17, 2010 Southeastern, New Hampshire
Date Location Notes Images
August 10, 2010 Southeastern, New Hampshire I profiled Bull Thistle on June 17, 2010. At that time, it was a much smaller plant growing low to the ground. But it still had the same dangerously sharp spike. Since then, I wanted to make sure that I got some pictures of the Bull Thistle in flower. This plant was at least 6 feet tall and several feet wide with numerous flowers and huge spikes.

I was able to capture the Bull Thistle at the same time that a Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) was munching on the bright purple flower. I didn't have to use a zoom lens. The butterfly was fine with me putting the camera within inches of his face.
Date Location Notes Images
April 17, 2011 Southeastern, New Hampshire
Date Location Notes Images
May 20, 2014 Southeastern, Connecticut