"In the right setting, they are fine and a good source of food for birds. In the winter the skeletal Frame adds winter interest and the large leaves emerging in the spring are ornamentally interesting. "

"Goldfinches will probably be available on Amazon prime by November."

"I like alot of those ornamental weeds too ( brilliant definition by the way )  , even balsam and hogweed have a certain presence , my back garden has become engulfed by borage but it looks amazing in flower and the bee's love it . 
I once spent a…"

"Best way is to get a Briggs and Stratton suction pump. Cheap as chips, put the tube into the oil filler neck and pump away. It's best done whilst oil is warm.oil is stored in a large tank
 
 
 "

"I like the sound of the goldfinches Ben that would be a bonus ."

"Thanks Adam . Do you cut the seed heads off or let them burst and hoe any seedlings which appear ?
My concern is the lawn as teasel has a mega root by the looks of it . "

"Update. The Stihl 800.  I've had chance to use this properly now. First, it's an easy starter and the pull while wearing bit is nice to use.  2nd, bloody hell it's powerful! I can clear areas that previously took ages in no time. (A drawback on my…"

"Great point, Vic. I've always been wary with pressure washing. I find a regular scrape when kit is dirty and a scrub with a bucket of hot water when there is time is plenty enough. Grease and oil are your best friends and I don't like to contaminate…"

"Like many of these species it's what I refer to as an "ornamental weed". I also like plants like Cow Parsley etc which look amazing in what the garden designers would refer to as "drifts". But be prepared to be tough on them if they run rampant"

"Colonises bare soil successfully, is biennial so not too difficult to thin and maintain. Depends on how regular the maintenance is.  They certainly are great architectural plants in yr 2 but are pretty naff in year 1. Flocks of goldfinches dotting…"