Knapweed, Centaurea nigra, Wild flower meadow in England, East Sussex, Rotherfield, with grasses and pink flowering knapweed.

Knapweed, Centaurea nigra, Close up of spikey pink coloured flowerhead against black.

Sea holly, Eryngium maritimum, Close view of one flower with a ladybird on top.

Globe thistle, Echinops bannaticus, Close side view of one spherical spiky metallic blue flower against blue sky.

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, Side view of clock or seedhead and another forming.

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, Side view of a fluffy white seedhead sunk into blue fabric.

Spear thistle. Cirsium vulgare, Close view of single spiky flowering head with bud and leaves.

Globe thistle, Echinops 'Veitch's blue', Five white stems with spikey, spherical, deep blue heads viewed from an angle, creating a dynamic effect.

Cirsium, Plume thistle, Cirsium rivulare 'Atropurpureum', Side view of purple red fluffy thistles intermingled with white lavender.

Thistle, Montpellier thistle, Cirsium monspessulanum, Side view of one pink flower.

Cardoon, Cynara cardunculus, A winter seedhead topped with melting snow turning into an icicle.

Sow thistle, Sonchus oleraceus and other weeds growing in a neglected street container.