Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Weeds R Us

Webster's definition of weed is any undesired, uncultivated plant, especially one growing in profusion so as to crowd out a desired crop, disfigure a lawn, etc. The definition of lawn is land covered with grass kept closely mowed.

In our front yard, we have some grass along with some weeds. In our back yard we have weeds. If it weren't for the weeds there would be no greenery.



It's my opinion that weeds are whatever someone considers a plant they don't want at any particular time. I'm sure some of the flowers we consider weeds today were at one time popular plants that were appreciated and cultivated. Some of the plants we prize today may someday be considered weeds.



If a rose bush started growing in the middle of the fairway on a famous golf course, you can bet it would be pulled out. It would be considered a weed on that carefully manicured lawn.



I have never been fussy about manicured grassy lawns. Sure, they look nice, but there are so many more important things to get worked up about.



Now, I positively love weeds. It's what we have and they more or less keep our hill from eroding. so bring them on.



The birds we work to attract into the yard plant many of our variety of weeds, and we do have a variety.



We currently have pink, blue, purple and white flowered weeds blooming. I'm sure some of them are causing my sore throat and my eyes to itch, but that's OK.



There is one weed that is trying to choke out my butterfly garden. It grows very fast and spreads even faster. I try to pull it whenever I see it getting a foothold. In July, however, it has a pretty deep blue and yellow flower and Rob always mentions how pretty it is. One person's weed is another person's pretty flower.



So let's hear it for weeds. They add some color and variety to life.

I actually planted this vine and it has been struggling to get going for a couple years. I don't think we have the right soil or weather conditions for it to thrive. Maybe it's because Norma Jean likes to play with the vine and pulls it off the deck several times a year.

6 comments:

Tillybud said...

I'm with you on the weed thing. They're wildflowers and they're just as beautiful, if not moreso, than anything you could pay a fiver for in a garden centre.

momsue84 said...

Amen!! That's all we can grow in Wyoming is weeds. At least, some of them have the most beautiful flowers. So good to know I'm not the only one who thinks there is more to life than a manicured lawn.

SissySees said...

I think dogs don't help the blooming/growing situation. We have VA red clay, but even in the raised bed of our Garden, things disappear and don't bloom. (I blame the birds, squirrels and deer for that...)

Unknown said...

Jay is very carefully moving blooming weeds around the yard right now so they can function as ground cover and color. He keeps them contained to where he wants them and plucks the rest out by the little roots.

Yours are beautiful. g

Dot O said...

Love your weeds - some weeds are actually very pretty!

Our clematis wouldn't grow/thrive either, and neither would my neighbor's. I think it is a very finicky plant.

Thanks for the visit! I took a ton of great pics this morning but neglected to actually put the memory card in my camera.......

soulbrush said...

yay...weeds must stay. and those who don't like them, you go!