Goldfinches and Teasels

The photograph above taken on 08/03/13, shows a Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis feeding on wild Teasels Dipsacus fullonum that I have grown in my garden. I have three Nyger Seed feeders in the garden that Goldfinches used to visit regularly, but now they seem to prefer the Teasels or the Sunflower heart feeders.

Teasel is a biennial plant. In the first year a large rosette of pale green prickly leaves is formed and in the second the thick flowering stem, branched and spiny, grows up to two metres tall, with stalkless, paired stem leaves that collect water.

Teasels make excellent plants for the wildlife minded gardener, as they are a good nectar source for bees and as already seen above, a winter seed source for birds. Please go out and buy a couple.