I recently bought a new home and before I moved in the former owner told me she spent hundreds of dollars planting perennials throughout the yard that would be popping up all summer. The problem is the only weed I know is a dandelion, luckily one of my very sweet neighbors came around and pointed out all of the weeds, which I thought were flowers, that she knew of. But there is this one that neither one of us know what it is. Can anyone help me? The plant is getting more and more weeping by the weeks, but I don't know if I need to cut it back, leave it alone or what. Thank you!
Looking at that little bit of your yard, I'd suggest that the previous owner was encouraging a wild meadow of sorts in some places. Some people think the tradescantias are weedy, and in some places they are deliberately cultivated. Your neighbor might be pointing out things she thinks are weeds, but may have been deliberately planted. My ex actually went to court when a neighbor demanded he remove tradescantia from a cultivated bed in his front yard. He won. Every place I've lived, I've had well meaning neighbors tell me I had to pull out this or that, and they are often misguided. It comes down to what you like, and what you want for your garden's evolution.
A weed is only a weed if you decide it is. Ex: My fiancee wants to plant dandelions in the garden because he doesn't think they are weeds, so make your own call on what you think is pretty. Even if everyone else (including your family/loved ones) think its a weed if you like it you should be able to have it in your flower bed.
Do you guys know of lawn daisies ? They are all over European lawns, where atrazine weed treatment is banned, thank God. Their flower is about the size of that of white clover, and they are no taller than 4". Lovely ! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellis_perennis Enjoy.
I love those daisies! I've seen them growing in Vancouver lawns. I'm going to get some seed. Thanks Maia.
Silly goober - "A Weed is just a plant out of place". If you like it - leave it, at least until you find something you like better. I currently have a yard full of Fever Few (Tanacetum parthenium) which is an old medicinal plant, much like a bushy, multi flowered daisy. It's pretty and useful for skin irritations. I always have some around for just that. Then when I find something I like better and need the room - out with the fever few and in with the new plant. I also grow dandelions and purple clover because the rabbit and the Guinea pigs think it's wonderful. Your garden - Your choice. ;)) barb
