Every flower is a wildflower--a native plant--somewhere, though this is easy to forget when that "somewhere" is on the other side of the world. On the other hand, it's easy to take our own native wildflowers for granted, or even despise them as weeds. And many popular garden plants native to North America had to be recognized as garden-worthy by gardeners in other countries before they were adopted by gardeners here. So, how do you tell if a plant belongs in the garden, or is a wildflower--or a weed?
jewelweed
Is It A Garden Plant Or A
September 27, 2017 – Posted in: Native/InvasiveJewelweed: Wildflower Wednesday
August 25, 2017 – Posted in: Native/InvasiveIf you have to have a weed in your garden, jewelweed is a great choice. In fact, if it doesn't grow in your garden, I feel a little bit sorry for you. It's as nice a weed as a gardener could wish for--if a gardener needed to wish for weeds. Read more to find out why!
Soapwort Hiding in Plain Sight: Wildflower Wednesday
October 27, 2010 – Posted in: Native/InvasiveThis past weekend I had the opportunity to visit Coles Creek State Park in Waddington, NY, which borders the St. Lawrence Seaway. This is almost as far north as you can get in New York State. Parts of St. Lawrence County are USDA Hardiness Zone 3b, but right along the St. Lawrence Seaway it's "only" [...]
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day September 2009
September 15, 2009 – Posted in: What's up/bloomingAnnuals Our growing season is so compressed, that most annuals are only now looking their best. My children like to grow zinnias every year, and the bright colors of Renee's Garden Crayon Color Zinnias really appeal to them. They like both the Cool and the Hot. (As a member of the GWA, I received the [...]
What a Garden Project in Progress Looks Like
July 10, 2008 – Posted in: Hardscaping and ProjectsOne of the things I did in June was tackle a part of the north border that had never been cultivated. I had dumped leaves there for several years, but otherwise whatever the birds planted that could tolerate shade was growing there: garlic mustard, aster, goldenrod, creeping bellflower, and jewelweed. My goal was nothing less [...]
Wicked Beauty
September 16, 2006 – Posted in: Native/Invasive, Pests, Plagues, and Varmints, Plant info, What's up/bloomingIsn't this a stunning specimen of Polygonum cuspidatum? The generous rainfall we've had this season has brought it into top form. Too bad it's on America's Most Wanted list. Yes, this is Japanese knotweed, aka Japanese bamboo, Mexican bamboo, fleeceflower, and Fallopia japonica. (I've been told that it's also known as privy weed, but I [...]
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