Spike

There were some prickly customers to be seen on our walk this morning.  First were the Teasels (Dipsacus fullonum).  Reaching about 7ft tall at the moment, they are now in full bloom, opening their pale, pinkish-blue flowers.

Stately and imposing, they certainly dominate the borders.

The second, spiky plant in bloom and worthy of mention, is the Great Burdock (Arctium lappa).  The spikes in this case are tipped with small hooks which snare almost anything which comes within 'grabbing distance'.  The flowers in this case are rather more colourful and a deeper shade of purple-blue although the plants are tall, large-leaved and almost as imposing in the border.