critter- deadheading common milkweed won't slow it down a bit. It's the thick roots that run all over.

Several years ago, I read an article/testimonial of some kind. I am pretty sure the writer talked about battling thistle. She/he cut it and let it lay in place several years. Her /his conclusion was that leaving it to rot improved the soil by adding organic, and greatly reduced the thistle. Now, if I remember that all right, it means, just cut and lay stems, persistently. Didn't something say thistle comes up in disturbed poor soil?

In battles like this, it humbles me to think, this plant is fighting for its life, 24/7, and I am a hobbyist with a limit to my time and energy..

Thanks Sally. I did some of that laying of stems today...tried to avoid the thistles with the weevils I think thistle will occupy any disturbed soil. The soil here is very fertile...it is limestone based and we are supposedly in a rich cove forest area...so I don't think poor soil is a criteria for thistle invasion! Even if the thistle stems don't deter more thistle...they'll help to block light from the stiltgrass seeds...a win-win

wish I knew where to dig up what I read, but it's been way too long.

@upat5 - Have you used or cultivated the New England Aster? Goes great with Goldenrod in the fall.

Oh my goodness J! That is an awesome patch!! You know, I did a couple of years ago germinate a bunch of NE aster seeds and I put 'em out among the goldenrod...not ONE survived the black holes on 4 legs But you have inspired me...I have cordoned off a stretch of disturbed ground that has a healthy canada thistle population with an equally healthy population of Canadian goldenrod and now providing the fishing line holds up and the deer don't break through...I will attempt to introduce some more asters...I think, looking at your asters there, that together with the goldenrod, the asters will overcome the canada thistle in no time!!!! What other "BIG" species, similar to asters can you suggest...has to be something readily available and easily germinated from seed...something like Joe Pye, Solidago etc? Has to be something that likes sun.

Jerusalem artichoke aka Helianthus tuberosus- but I suspect the greens are tasty to deer.
Rudbeckia -laciniata? There's a huge tall Rudbeckia some of this group have, it's big and spreads by runners well. I'm not sure we are sure of the species.

Anemone virginiana
http://www.illinoiswildflowers...
I can give you lots of seeds in the fall. This says the leaves have a blistering agent- nyahh haa haa. I have gotten seed to germinate without any specific effort.

Sally, Rudbeckia laciniata is probably what you are thinking of, tall, deer resistant. rhizomatous, and clonal colony forming: http://www.illinoiswildflowers...

I was just reading that very site. I like their detailed information. Sometime I had labeled this plant ratibida, but that was easily species I speculated on rather than was told. Anyway, I have plenty of that either runners or seed later this year, as would anyone now growing this plant (who doesn't have a meadow to fill)

R. laciniata is what I have in my mini rain garden. It does well in very poor soil. Actually, the poor rocky soil is probably the reason it hasn't spread much for me.

These are the plants recommended as essential to Monarch Way Stations and Monarc butterfly habitat restoration..Common Milkweed (May it become 'common' across this country again!) and nectar rich fall blooming asters and goldenrods!

I was the one who mentioned thistle as an indicator plant for compacted soils (not poor) And again I'll mention that thistle seeds will continue to ripen even in bud, so be careful what you are laying down.

Also, new studies show that there is enough residual action remaing in sprayed/ treated plants and soil that plants can continue to take up enough poisen to kill caterpillars and other pollinators for two to three growing seasons after use. Round up doesn't just go away.

Last tidbit: after cutting thistle stems one person found that pouring plain water down the hollow stem s helped rot the roots.

@JMorth your pictures are the Illinois I remember as a kid! Endless hours roaming fields and woods. Thanks.

Another wildflower to consider - Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximilianii) or it's close relative, the Sawtooth Sunflower (H. grosseserratus)







Speaking of thistles -


and Goldenrod - and N E Asters - (in my garden)


Purple Coneflower and American Bellflower (an annual wildflower) are also worth consideration. (Good pics in the database of these two)

Glad you liked the pics from Illinois Judy.

thanks SSG and David, I will label mine laciniata

Thank-you everyone for your suggestions!

Sallyg:Jerusalem artichokes is a good one BUT I found a similar Helianthus species hidden in the woods...2 plants...never seen any other so as you said...probably tastes too good to be left alive! I Like the sound of Anemone virginiana and the Rudbeckia sounds nicely aggressive!

Mariposa: I'm sure some seed escapes but there is an enormous population of goldfinches and many other seed eaters around here...maybe that's why I am not seeing additional patches springing up in isolation...as opposed to already existing patches getting bigger through root growth?

J: Do you know what thistle species that is? Got the echinacea....bellflower sounds interesting....really want Helianthus but not sure about deer. Beautiful pictures!

Here's one I took today....


Still going to see if I can get some Cirsium altissimum to grow despite the odds....

Not sure about which thistle, but I think it is Tall Thistle (Cirsium altissimum), another strong possibility is C. discolor, Field Thistle. I think there's like eight different thistles that grow in Illinois, so my postulations are more guesses than fact based...

Love the photos, J--Gorgeous!!