As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and with these weeds, those rules don’t change at all.
Spring has sprung, and so have many colors through the budding of flowers, trees, and even weeds. The winter white of snow has melted away, and buds have begun to bloom everywhere. From gardens to the cracks between sidewalks, life has sprouted in front of our eyes. And while we may see the blues, purples, and pinks of flowers, looks may deceive your eyes because while you may think you’re collecting a bouquet of wildflowers, you may just be pulling weeds.
What is the definition of a weed?
According to Merriam-Webster, a weed is: “a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth especially: one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants.”
In other words, a weed spreads quickly and can take away the aesthetics of planted flowers and plants.
What is the definition of a flower?
According to Merriam- Webster, a flower is: “the specialized part of an angiospermous plant that occurs singly or in clusters, possesses whorls of often colorful petals or sepals, and bears the reproductive structures (such as stamens or pistils) involved in the development of seeds and fruit.”We all know what a flower is, and we are sure that’s what we want in our garden.
Remember when you were a little kid, and you’d run around your yard pulling the yellowest dandelions, bunching them all together, and then running inside to bring your bouquet to a loved one? They would thank you, let out a little chuckle, and explain that your stunning collection was nothing more than unwanted weeds. It was almost too shocking to understand how something so dainty can be undesirable.
While flower-like weeds are the most beautiful of the bunch, they aren’t wanted all the same. They sprout where they are unwelcome and can kill the plants you want to live in your garden as the weed’s roots begin to take over the soil. So, not only are they a menace to tidying up, but they also harm your hard work.
You may be wondering how weeds can grow without any seeds being planted. It’s not like the herbs and flowers we want to enjoy sprout as crabgrass does in the blink of an eye. So, how do weeds do it? They do stem from seeds, but they are so deep within the soil and can go undetected, even after prepping a garden. Weeds only need sun and soil to grow, and unfortunately for gardeners, they don’t even need both to flourish. They can also lay dormant for months, sometimes even years, before breaking the soil.
How does one get rid of weeds?
Well, unfortunately, the problem can never honestly go away. The best anyone can do is take the time to pick out the plant itself and the roots. Excavating the most significant number of roots that you can find can help your issue and at least limit the amount of growth you may see in the future. If you only try to mow them or rip off the part of the weeds you see on the surface, you risk them only growing back or even growing back fuller. While weed prevention and killing sprays exist, the best way to stop their growth is to get on your knees and get your hands a little dirty.
Here are some examples of flowers that are just weeds in disguise.
Daisies
Daisies are classic flowers that have had different meanings throughout history.
Photo by Michelle Henderson
Creeping Thistles
Photo by Anastasia Saratov
Bluebell
Photo by Raphael Cabuis
Foxglove
Photo by Slawek K
Aquilegia
Yellow Sweet Clover
Oxalis
Forget-me-nots
Photo by Anna Rozwadowska
Wild Violets
These purple flowers grow wildly in nature but violet can be planted too in order to achieve a curated garden look. They have a deep meaning and symbolism, thus making an ideal flower for your garden to complement more imposing plants.
Common Ragworts
