you all probably know this about thistles already

[eub]

But don't ever let a thistle grow thinking it's a nifty-looking weed and you can get rid of it later. By the time you get around to it because it's threatening to spread seed, that's a *lot* of viciously spiny you've got there.

Comments

[laurabee.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know this problem very well. I just let it spread the seed, a decision I'm sure I'll regret next year.

On the up side, the butterflies and bees absolutely loved the blossoms.

[rmitz.livejournal.com]

Thistle is impossible. That root system will send stuff up again and again, without even letting the seed go....

[boonedog.livejournal.com]

There's a spot along the street that runs behind our neighborhood that we are responsible for keeping up and it has a lot of thistles growing there (along with dandelions, cat tails, etc). When a bunch of us neighbors were out deciding what to pull out and what to keep (we also have some oak seedlings and wildflowers growing) there was a little argument about whether to keep the thistle or not because they *are* cool looking. Until you look up closely at them. Then there was a little argument about *who* was going to be the one to take them out. A bear encounter suit would've been helpful.

[jinian.livejournal.com]

Kill it with fire. Really. It'll desiccate the roots so it's less likely to be able to come back.

[mh75.livejournal.com]

But i *like* thistles.

[bhudson.livejournal.com]

Just explain it away by saying it's the mascot of your grad school.