I took this picture of a beautiful thistle at the park. I wish I could grow them in my garden, but they can be quite prickly! Thistles are fascinating because they help remove heavy metals from soils, making them incredibly beneficial for the environment. They thrive in contaminated areas, naturally cleaning up the soil. I learned a lot about soil contamination in my Master Gardener class and during my time at ACE, an engineering company. Thistles not only have a unique beauty but also play an important role in ecological health!
