I've been enjoying watching the butterflies, bees, bugs of all types, gold finches, and hummingbirds hang out in the thistle this summer. This year it came up right outside my kitchen window, in the east garden, and is currently over 12 feet tall. Luckily some of the blossoms were down low making it easier to snap photos. The hummingbirds had a nest in it this year so I was able to watch the mamma and pappa bird tend to their baby until it fledged earlier this week.