Field Thistle, Cirsium discolor
 
Field thistles have stunning, large pink flowers that produce copious nectar to attract diverse pollinators and are a favourite of bumble bees. They bloom from late summer into fall. Field thistles are biennials and will self-seed in the right conditions. They grow between 80 cm and 1.80 m tall.

Ecology:
Field thistles are ecological powerhouses. As a pollinator magnet, they attract various bees, beetles and butterflies and provide pollen to many pollen-specialist bees that rely on them to collect pollen for their larvae. Field thistles are the host plant for the painted lady butterfly and countless moth species. Goldfinches and many other birds devour their seeds. 
 
Growing Conditions:
Field thistles are found in tallgrass prairies, old fields, savannas and forest edges.  In the garden, they thrive in full to partial sun in dry to moist soil and prefer poor, disturbed soils.