Name That Weed: June 14, 2010

Look at this weed and tell me is it a desirable or a pest?  Looks can be deceiving.  In fact, this weed has been so successful that I even thought it was cute.  Look at its cool petal formation and the color is to die for.  I'm a sucker for orange flowers I've decided.  So I decided to find out the identity of this tempting plant and to see if I should pull it up or propagate it for others.

Name this weed or desirable and you will be win a prize from Jerry's office.  Deadline is June 21, 2010.  You have one week--so get to work!

Name That Weed: Answer

Update:  Lynn come and claim your prize.  You knew that this weed is houndstongue.
I know that all you followers have been glued to your seats just waiting to hear the answer to 'Name That Weed.'  The wait is over.  The answer is Houndstongue.  As I walked around the gardens today I noticed it in a lot of the beds and I pulled it as I went.  Houndstongue is an annual weed and germinates from seed.  It is fairly easy to control and I believe that by digging it out or using a hoe before it goes to seed will save you a lot of heartache in the years to come. Its leaves are hairy and rough like a dog's tongue, hence it's name.  It is a prolific seeder and its seeds have a great way of sticking to your clothes or animals and being moved to different areas.  So if you see this offender--pull it and you can admire it's pretty purple flowers from your garbage can.  If you would like more information click here.

Name That Weed

Weeds are popping up right and left every where.  Which plants are weeds and which plants are flowers, is a question we get asked all the time.  The sad thing is that many times pesky weeds fool us into us into to thinking that they are a desirable plant.  We cultivate them and admire them until they set seed and they spread all over our gardens.  Then we see a post on a blog and realize that those sneaky weeds have "weasled" their way into our gardens.  So I'm here to educate you on some of our worst offenders in our gardens and hope to spare you of mistaken identities.

I have a prize for anyone who can tell the name of this weed and how to control it.