As a child in the 1970’s I loved the dried Teasels every woman seemed to have in her home and as time went by they became dustier and one day as time moved, they were no longer loved and dried teasels became unfashionable.

It is a shame as I still love these cruelly prickled seed heads.

Named locally as “Thirst for water”, the seed heads hold rain enough for little bugs and often you see these little six legged characters gingerly seeking a drink to cool down amongst the spikes.  Goldfinches love the seeds.  The big purple flowers give way to shock-headed bristling and as the summer progresses the heads grow tough.  Many years ago they were also used as brushes, but I am going to do as they did back in the 1970’s and find a huge vase and let them guard my hall-way.  No touching or you might just get more than you bargained for…ouch!