Not all weeds are created equal; some are much tougher to control than others. For instance, most thistle species are difficult to control because they have deep roots.
The same is true with bindweed. A single yank might get you a handful of bindweed, and maybe even some roots, but make no mistake: it will be back.
And that pollen monster ragweed can be tough to control because the seeds germinate deep in the soil.
The toughest weeds can be hard to eliminate, but with the right proactive actions, you can get control over them.
So, Where Do You Start?
Remember this: in your lawn, no one decides what’s a weed except you. And before you can control the ones you decide are weeds, you have to identify them.
Here’s some help on a few of the toughest common weeds.
Bull Thistle
Bull thistle is a highly recognizable weed known for its pink/magenta flowers. It has elongated stems with alternating leaves that are covered in long, sharp spines, so it’s unpleasant to handle, as well as difficult to control manually.
This weed can grow as either an annual or a biennial, depending on the environment. During its lifecycle, it produces lots of seeds that are dispersed by the wind. It’s commonly found throughout the US and can outcompete desirable vegetation if you leave it unmanaged.
The best way to get rid of bull thistle is with LV MAX Fast-Acting Weed Killer.
- Pink/magenta flowers
- Long, sharp spines
- Elongated stems with alternating leaves
- Annual and biennial
- Spreads by seeds
- Found throughout the U.S.
What's best to control it?
Courtesy of Dr. Lambert McCarty, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
- Pink/magenta flowers
- Long, sharp spines
- Elongated stems with alternating leaves
- Annual and biennial
- Spreads by seeds
- Found throughout the U.S.
What's best to control it?
Yellow Thistle
Yellow thistle is a spiny broadleaf weed, but it can be challenging to identify because its flower color varies depending on the species and growing conditions. The mature plants develop sharp spines along their leaves, and they have large, deeply toothed or cut lobes.
Typically, this weed behaves as a winter annual, but it can sometimes survive as a biennial. It reproduces by seed, and it produces large quantities that are visible in the soil. Yellow thistle is commonly found on the East Coast from Florida to Texas.
The best course of action against this weed is LV MAX Fast-Acting Weed Killer.
- Flower color varies
- Spines on mature leaves
- Mature leaves have large toothed/cut lobes
- Winter annual; sometimes biannual
- Spread by seeds
- Found on the east coast from Maine to Florida to Texas
What's best to control it?
Courtesy of Dr. Lambert McCarty, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
- Flower color varies
- Spines on mature leaves
- Mature leaves have large toothed/cut lobes
- Winter annual; sometimes biannual
- Spread by seeds
- Found on the east coast from Maine to Florida to Texas
What's best to control it?
Field Bindweed
Field bindweed is one of the most persistent perennial weeds. It has beautiful white to pink funnel-shaped flowers that look like small morning glories, as well as arrowhead-shaped leaves and sprawling, twining stems.
This weed has an extensive root system that’s capable of reaching deep into the soil, so it can survive drought and regenerate after removal attempts. This summer perennial spreads through both seeds and underground rhizomes, and it’s found throughout the US.
You can get rid of field bindweed by using Brush Killer for Large Property.
- Flowers are white to pink funnel shaped
- Arrowhead-shaped leaves
- Extensive root system
- Summer perennial
- Spreads by seeds and rhizomes
- Found throughout the U.S.
What's best to control it?
Courtesy of Dr. Lambert McCarty, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
- Flowers are white to pink funnel shaped
- Arrowhead-shaped leaves
- Extensive root system
- Summer perennial
- Spreads by seeds and rhizomes
- Found throughout the U.S.
What's best to control it?
Horseweed
Horseweed (aka marestail) is an upright annual weed that produces small pink to white flowers near the top of tall stems. It’s often covered with fine hairs, and the leaves are oblanceolate, or spearhead-shaped; they typically measure between 3 and 4 inches long.
Horseweed grows rapidly and produces thousands of lightweight seeds that spread by wind. It’s widespread throughout the US, and since it completes its lifecycle within a year, early removal with LV MAX Fast-Acting Weed Killer is essential.
- Pink to white flowers
- Stem is hairy
- Leaves are oblanceolate (“spearhead”) shaped, 3”–4” long
- Spreads by seed
- Annual
- Found throughout the U.S.
What's best to control it?
Courtesy of Dr. Lambert McCarty, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
- Pink to white flowers
- Stem is hairy
- Leaves are oblanceolate (“spearhead”) shaped, 3”–4” long
- Spreads by seed
- Annual
- Found throughout the U.S.
What's best to control it?
Creeping Buttercup
Creeping buttercup is a low-growing perennial weed that’s easily recognizable by its bright yellow flowers that have five glossy petals. The leaves are divided into three lobes, with the middle attached by a small stalked base.
This weed can root at nodes along creeping stems, so it can form dense mats over time. Creeping buttercup spreads through both seed production and runners, and it’s found throughout the northern US.
You can kill this weed with Brush Killer for Large Property.
- Flowers are yellow with five shiny petals
- Leaves are three-lobed (middle lobe has a stalked base)
- Roots at nodes along the stems
- Perennial
- Spreads by seed and runners
- Found throughout the northern U.S.
What's best to control it?
Courtesy of Dr. Lambert McCarty, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
- Flowers are yellow with five shiny petals
- Leaves are three-lobed (middle lobe has a stalked base)
- Roots at nodes along the stems
- Perennial
- Spreads by seed and runners
- Found throughout the northern U.S.
What's best to control it?
Common Ragweed
Common ragweed is a widespread weed best known for its role in producing allergenic pollen that triggers seasonal allergies. Unlike many flowering weeds, its blooms are relatively inconspicuous, with green flowers arranged in spike-like clusters.
Male flowers develop in small saucer-shaped heads that release large amounts of pollen. Young stems are hairy but gradually become smoother as the plant matures. The leaves are deeply divided into multiple leaflets, giving them a fern-like appearance.
Common ragweed is treated like an annual in many regions, but it readily spreads by seed, and it’s found throughout the US. Brush Killer for Large Property will eliminate it, though.
- Green flowers in spikelike clusters; Male flowers in saucer-shaped heads
- Stems are hairy early, then become smooth
- Leaves are multiple leaflets with fern-like appearance
- Perennial
- Spreads by seed
- Found throughout the U.S.
What's best to control it?
Courtesy of Dr. Lambert McCarty, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
- Green flowers in spikelike clusters; Male flowers in saucer-shaped heads
- Stems are hairy early, then become smooth
- Leaves are multiple leaflets with fern-like appearance
- Perennial
- Spreads by seed
- Found throughout the U.S.
What's best to control it?
Say Goodbye to the Toughest Weeds
The toughest weeds can put a damper on your property, especially if you’re trying to grow other plants. But now that you know what the best solutions are, you’ll be able to have a gorgeous outdoor space.
If you’d like the best products for weed control, then browse our selection now. Gordon’s has been in business since 1924, and we have economic products for homeowners.