D

• Daisies, dandelions and thistles
• December
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• Dogwood

Daisies, dandelions and thistles

Plant

Asteraceae

Formerly called the Compositae, this family of daisies, dandelions and thistles is large. Plants in this family have many small flowers that are gathered into a flowerhead which then looks like a single flower. It contains many plants that are exceptionally good for wildlife, either attracting insects for nectar or birds and small mammals for seeds. A few are listed below.

• Corn marigold Chrysanthemum segetum – honey bees and butterflies for pollen and nectar.
• Dandelion Taraxacum officinale – bees, butterflies and hoverflies for nectar; finches for seeds; larval foodplant of white ermine moth.
• French marigold Tagetes patula – butterflies and hoverflies for nectar.
• Goldenrod Solidago – bees, butterflies and moths for nectar; siskins, linnets and finches for seeds.
• Greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa – bees, bumblebees and butterflies for nectar; siskins, linnets and finches for seeds.
• Marigold Calendula officinalis – honey bees for pollen; bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies for nectar.
• Michaelmas daisy Aster novi-belgii – very popular with bees and butterflies for nectar; linnets and finches for seeds.
• Milk thistle Silybum marianum – goldfinches for seeds.
• Sunflower Helianthus annus – honey bees, bumblebees and hoverflies for nectar; doves, finches for seeds.
• Tickseed Bidens ferulifolia – bumblebees for nectar; linnets, greenfinches, redpolls and goldfinches for fruits.
• Yarrow Achillea millefolium – bees, bumblebees and many other insects for nectar; birds for insects and seeds.     

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