This is a thistle and I was wondering if I am certifiable to be keeping it in hopes of attracting BF's. Anyone know if it does?
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/31951/index.html
Is this a BF attractor?
Here's a yellow thistle that is for sure http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/2737/index.html and anotherhttp://davesgarden.com/pf/go/74022/index.html Karen I think any that are in the Asterceae family probably are nectar plants but not sure if yours is a larval host.
I'm growing from seed stinging nettles (urtica dioica) to see if I get any activity on them.Who would've thought I'd be srarting weed seeds and nasty stuff at that(container growing only) lol.
This is sooooo making me lol! I can't tell you how many "weeds" that are probably nectar and host plants for butterflies that I have pulled and tossed from my yard. My yard is weed heaven. No wonder I have a lot of butterflies! They aren't coming for my intentionally hand-grown plants, but for my weeds!!!! What's a gardener to do???!!! lol
Don, I have some stinging nettle seeds in a pot just waiting to emerge. Yes, I think I am probably more than a little nuts.
Do you think it is worthwhile to keep the thistle if it is not a host?
Karen,maybe if you can keep it under control in the container .Your this far now you might as well see what it attract's.Admirals use it and you might get a Painted Lady to take a taste.
Becky ain't that the truth (lol)
The stinging nettle is in a container, the thistle is not but it is against a fence. The biggest problem, I think, is that it has seeds like the milkweed and unless I continuously take them off, I will have thistle all over and so will my neighbors.
Good neighbor relationship on one hand -maybe butterflies on the other,Hummmmm? I'd say maybe butterflies ,but that"s just me! (lol)
Yeah, me too!! Decision made.