Teasel

[caroline7758]

I have grown teasels on my allotmet for the first time this year. I love them, and want to keep some, but don't want them to take over, so wanted to ask, do they tend to be invasive, and if so is it the seed or the root that invades?

[goodlife]

yes..they do tend to be invasive...and it is the seeds..
Also the plants that are already established themselves they are quite a job to dig out as they do have really strong roots and chopping off the tops to do not work.
But even then...I've got some on my lottie too and with a little care they do not tend to take over..too much...

[theothermarg]

yes they are ! it's the seed that spreads them, and it usually pops up in the wrong places! I think they are biannual . I had loads of tall flowers last year but only lots of seedlings this year so I havn't seen as many goldfinches lately
marg
goodlife you beat me to it ! can I add that my last year plants died off which makes me think they are biannual

[Flighty]

Caroline like you I love teasels! 
They are biennial and I let just a couple grow on the plot then leave them for the goldfinches to eat the seeds.  Any unwanted self-seeders I pull up when small and so far they haven't become a problem.

[Unwashed]

I grow teasels on my allotment and in my front and back gardens.  I let them self-seed and I've not found them to be invasive.  They don't germinate in any great profusion and it's no great difficulty to pull out the invonvenient ones.

[caroline7758]

Thanks for your replies. As they are new this year I think I should be able to control them! I was surprised that I had to stake them to stop them blowing over- they seem to stand up ok in the wild.

[goodlife]

In wild they often grow suported by other plants ...and propably they are growing in 'lush' and fertile ground in your lottie making softer growth..