weeds

[4getmenot]

what actually makes a weed a weed? I mean 4getmenots are really weeds but some people keep them as they look pretty. Why not keep weeds? Can they do any harm?

[puzzled54]

Surely forgetmenots are not weeds - I've got loads in my garden and they are lovely.

[RATTER15]

A weed is defined as "any plant in the wrong place"

[alexanderd]

A weed is anything that grows where it is not supposed to!

[Prudie]

I always think of weeds as something that grows naturally in the wild. They don't do harm at all (most of them though some do) except they are stronger and can starve other plants of light and nutrients.

[Euphemia]

Weeds are the species that grow effortlessly by themselves. It's up to you whether you keep them but better to avoid such species as Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed.

[4getmenot]

who says where the wrong place is? 4getmenots are my fave but i was told they are a weed. I guess dasies are too. People wouldnt grow dandelions as flowers though.

[boxtops]

I don't think 4gets are a weed, I sow them. that tiny purple-flowered creeper is a weed, but I keep it. I love dandelions - if they didn't seed so easily, I'd probably grow them too, our neighbour's rabbit love them!

[Prudie]

I've never thought of forget-me-nots as weeds. I have a lovely border of them at the moment. You'd be hard pressed to find them growing wild.

[boxtops]

...except in my garden, prudie, they have self-seeded into the patio - as have some cowslips, which are lovely. The only thing I pull up are celadines - they are so cheerful, but they spread like wildfire.

[Prudie]

I pulled out a load of celandine today but left some, as you say it's pretty and springlike.

[joko]

i agree some weeds are lovely...i had loads growing round my yard - which is grey and dull so i liked all the flowers about - and my brother came round while i was out and went mad stripping them all away - i was furious but he said incredulously - "because they are weeds and you have to get rid of weeds!"...when asked why, his answer was 'because you do, theyre bad'...he had no idea why he thought that.

even a rose bush would technically be considered a weed if it just grew in the wrong place...

[hammerman]

Boxtops...talking of cowslips, mine are like weeds !!!! They seed themselves everywhere and come up in the paths, the beds, the lawns...you name it and i end up hoeing or spraying them off.

[Cowtipper]

I kill off whats required by law and anything that could be noxious to my neighbors lawn.

[Frank97]

I heard once that "A weed is a plant that will adapt to growing every where apart from where you want it" Gardeners Question Time I think.

[joko]

by law cowtipper??

[rowanwitch]

there are a whole list of 'noxious weeds' that you have to deal with if they are close to agricultural land especially.. I would add ant and dec to this category,,

[Frank97]

^ Lol