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bluebirdpeony

Weed or not weed?

BlueBirdPeony
10 years ago

These are in a bit of a weird spot...in the middle of the ground cover. I'm not sure what they are? If they are something beautiful, I will leave them. If they are ordinary, I may want to relocate them. Or just get rid of them entirely.
Help? What are they? Can I trim them way back after they flower? Will they return?

Comments (14)

  • v1rt
    10 years ago

    weed - a plant that grew on a wrong location.

  • cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
    10 years ago

    "If they are something beautiful, I will leave them."

    Do you think they are beautiful?
    That's all that matters.

  • coolplantsguy
    10 years ago

    Hard to tell... a close-up of the flower might help. My first guess would be Knautia or Cephalaria.

  • BlueBirdPeony
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Guys, I know the definition of a weed, thanks. My question was more about whether it jumped out at anyone as known, common type of weed. And also what the plant was, whether it would be able to be transplanted, whether it would survive being cut back, etc.
    Cool plants guy, I'm having a hard time getting a closer up shot because I would have to stand on the ground cover to get in closer. Maybe I'll risk it though! I googled your suggestions and, unfortunately, I dont think it looks like either. So far it looks like the center of a cone flower or daisy without any petals. Also the centers are pink. It's far too early in my zone for either.
    I'lltry for another picture tomorrow.
    Thanks for the suggestions and stay tuned!

  • flora_uk
    10 years ago

    coolplantsguy's suggestions certainly seem likely to me judging by the foliage and the flower buds. Scabiosa is another candidate genus of that ilk.

  • ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
    10 years ago

    when something pops up... unexpectedly ... your first question to yourself.. is NOT what is it ...

    the question is.. how many more will pop up.. IF I ENCOURAGE IT ...

    in our learning curve.. we all started here.. and years later.. came to learn.. free is not always good ... lol

    lets see.. in my life.. i once.. just once.. encouraged a thistle ... laitris ... violets ... spiderwort ... etc.. all became horrible invasive weeds.. that took me years to eradicate ... oh.. add bishops weed to my list ...

    so as time rolls by.. if i do NOT specifically buy it.. or get it from an experienced friend .... i kill it ... as its of no value to me ... and that is a secondary definition of a weed ....

    ken

    BTW... so i dont have to find your other post.. many good nurseries.. have a recycle bin.. might be a great place to find some FREE pots ... to grow things in.. until the bargains roll around in fall

  • BlueBirdPeony
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Here is a close up, finally. It has changed drastically in the last 24 hours. Now it's looking a lot more like a chrysanthemum to me?? Multiple flowers on the same stalk. Interesting color.

  • Campanula UK Z8
    10 years ago

    yep, definately scabious. Maybe columbaria or whatever the US equivalent is.

  • BlueBirdPeony
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Hi, campanula. Yes, Scabious is Columbaria. I'm not sure yet if this is that or not. It certainly looks like the center, but the petals are not there yet. Will report back in a few days.

  • katob Z6ish, NE Pa
    10 years ago

    You might want to post a pic of the groundcover too, I suspect the scabious wasn't planted in that weird of a spot, I think the ground cover invaded where the scabious was growing and you might want to be more concerned about the groundcover becoming a weed.

  • terrene
    10 years ago

    Scabiosa guys, not Scabious. Scabious actually means "having scabs or scabies", haha.

  • flora_uk
    10 years ago

    Scabiosa genus, yes, but the common name is Scabious. e.g. Scabiosa columbaria = Small Scabious

  • TNflowerlover Zone 7a
    10 years ago

    I have a purple version. They really are pretty. Personally, I would leave them. :):)

  • terrene
    10 years ago

    Wow flora, I've never heard that common name - how weird. I've tried some Scabiosa and it's pretty but S. columbaria rarely made it through the winter, and S. ochroleuca was a bit more perennial but never thrived.