In my yard the cows often take them off at ground level after flowering, it
seems like something makes them taste better after flowering.

If I've managed to keep the cows out that yeaR i CUT THEM BACK TO GROUND
LEVEL WITH THE WHIPPER SNIPPER AT THE END OF WINTER WHEN THEY LOOK ALL DRIED
OUT AND HALF DEAD.

Sory about caps lock, must have hit it by mistake and I'm to lazy to go back
and change it now.

They like lots of water if it's available. Mine are where the house tank
overflows when I fill it from the well each week.

Peter