4 ft tall and oh so pretty…

The first bud has opened… it’s so beautiful.

I’ve discovered so much fascinating history about this prickly delight…

This one is my favourite’s as the prickly plant is leaning on the pathway and you can’t help but touch it… ouch

The thistle is the oldest recorded 'National Flower' dating back to the 13th century when the Vikings tried to creep up on Scottish Clansmen, only to walk barefoot over thistles. This caused them to cry out alerting the Scottish army.

I suspect it won’t be here for long, a few lovely old neighbours are tidying it up and don’t like being prickled.

[Dione Giorgio]

Beautiful capture. Impressive colour.

[Brian]

Beautiful capture. Love the colour, I feel joy with this colour.

[Babs]

What a gorgeous close up.

[winghong_ho]

Lovely.

[Diana]

I love these beautiful plants, such a fabulous close up.

[mittens (Marilyn)]

Pretty.

[Dorothy]

Wonderful closeup and interesting background story of how it became Scotland’s symbol.

[Kate]

Thistles are cool flowers though most think of them as weeds. That spiky plant on the left could really stick a passerby.

[Margaret Brown]

Lovely colour and capture

[Susan Wakely]

Such a lovely colour.

[Judith Johnson]

I love these wild thistles. A great shot

[william wooderson]

Four feet?? That is tall!

[bkb in the city]

Very nice

[Neil]

Superb thistle head, beautiful colour.

[KoalaGardens🐨]

love it

[Christine Sztukowski]

Perfect focus

[Carole Sandford]

Lovely colour.

[Yao RL]

Love the story goes with it.

[Kerry McCarthy]

Very nice and thanks for the history!

[Islandgirl]

Gorgeous bloom!

[Susan Klassen]

Beautiful capture and story! Fav.

[Harry J Benson]

Good closeup and DoF

[Agnes]

Beautiful shot

[Taffy]

Wonderful details