The first one to come to mind, Hellcat, is the Hawkweeds but they spread around like wildfire so I am not sure that I would recommend them. Goldfinches love the seedheads of thistles, but again? I am also thinking of a small, blur groundcover plant that we see by the tracks in the forest that butterflies adore - but I can't think of its name :-(. I will try again later.

globe artichokes are related to thistles and the beese seam to get drunk in mine to the point of buzzing out of tune and staying the night lol honest.

i know there not strictly native but you could just say there very tall thistles surley lol

We have a heather rockery.It has been covered in bumble bees, bees and butterflies this spring.we counted 28 bumble bees on it at one time. Rowan and elder trees are also very wildlife friendly and considered to be native species. .

sneak a couple of globe artichokes in at the back and let them flower they have the most beautifull blue colour with almost a prehistoric looking plant underneath . there one of my faverite plants but i wouldnt eat them.

I never even thought of heathers, Sg, of course.

My avatar is a globe artichoke. They grow like thistles to about 6' and have the advantage of having edible flowers fresh from the garden. These are the artichokes you can buy at great expense.

yes i think there great but like i say not for there eating qualities .

Personal taste, Np. We grew them and ate them once. They were tasty but it was such a hassle pulling bits of, dipping them in butter and then eating them.

They do have the added bonus of dying down in winter and popping back up in spring. I picked mine at the round ball stage and hung them upside down to dry in a paper bag. I was very surprised to find they had opened up and presented these beautiful blue flowers. Butterflies like to sleep in honeysuckle or ivy and they cannot drink directly from water but need a mud bath. Hollow out a patch of garden and line it with plastic, fill with soil and add water to make a mud bath. Birds who use mud for making their nests will also use it.

thats what i think in both respects bulbaholic it is a lot of hassle to eat them and ofcourse that is personal taste but as far as im concerned bring me the stunning blue and pink now i believe flower and the drunken bees anytime .

Thanks for the replies, will definitely try the heather. Will have to think about the globe artichoke. I actually love eating them. Very good for the cholesterol when dripping in melted butter!!!! LOL
Pictures of garden will follow.............................eventually!

I would like to think that Dryas octopetala (see Drc question earlier this evening) was an attractive plant for butterflies etc but am not sure what for. Mostly wee bugs up on the hill.
I am sure that Thrift (Armeria maritima) must be good for butterflies.

hellcat your making me feal hungry talking about the globe artichokes like that lol xx .