I don't think it is a globe thistle. The leaves are quite large, like the size of your hand. And it's not picky. I don't remember it flowering last year, but I didn't look too closely - last year we unpacked, this year we are actually getting things done.
I am in northcentral Indiana in a wooded valley along a creek. There are areas along the lane that are almost 100% this weed, with just a little poison ivy sneaking in.
I'm a rather lazy gardener but a little more persistent when it comes to be a good steward of our land. We cleared about a 1/4 along the creek of honeysuckle so far this year and I want to be very selective about what grows in its place. I'm pulling all the new honeysuckle, garlic mustard...