SEASONAL OUTDOOR SERVICES
Transforming Spaces from the Ground Up
THISTLE
WHAT IT IS...
Thistle is the common name of a group of flowering plants characterised by leaves with sharp prickles on the margins, mostly in the family Asteraceae
There are two common varieties of thistle, spear thistle and creeping thistle.
Spear thistles grow individually whereas creeping thistles generally grow in a clump.
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?
Thistles (Cirsium arvense) is such a problematic weed due to;
-
It produces a tap root on germination followed by lateral roots that grow horizontally. These lateral roots are brittle and produce buds at intervals that develop shoots
-
It easily regenerates from broken pieces. Individual plants, can form large clumps, are dioecious (either male or female) being virtually self-sterile. However, male and female plants growing adjacent to each other will cross-pollinate and a seed crop will be produced
-
Its seeds germinate readily, but particularly during periods of fluctuating temperatures, or when temperatures reach 20-30ºC (68-86ºF) during the day
HOW WE TREAT IT
Both varieties can be controlled with a similar chemical group and can even be controlled without affecting lawns or other greenery.
Every job is assessed individually and a management plan is drawn up.