The A to Z Book of Weeds and Other Useful Plants

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The specialist will discuss with you all the other treatment options first, before considering a cannabis-based product. Notes: You’ll find it growing in waste areas, gardens and woodland margins. Its tall, erect stems are topped with a flurry of pink blooms. Notes: Although native to South America, Pink Woodsorrel primarily resides in European gardens. It possesses Fuschia-pink flowers that darken in the centre. Incidents of poisoning from spring bulbs are most likely to occur from dogs eating the bulbs in autumn when they are planted, or in spring when they begin to flower.

Hairy bittercress is a fast-growing annual weed with small white flowers and deeply lobed leaves. It releases its seeds explosively when disturbed, contributing to its rapid spread.

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Notes: An annual plant native to Western North American waste areas. It has many branches and soft, hairy leaves. Get your handkerchiefs ready if you’re near this plant, as the pollen can cause hayfever flareups and allergic reactions. 60. Giant Ragweed Notes: Dollarweed acquired its name from the shape of its leaves, which resemble a silver dollar. Its leaves look slightly like lilypads, sporting scalloped edges and a fleshy appearance, but the plant produces white flowers. It typically grows in damp gardens and lawns. 32. Petty Spurge Slender speedwell flowers. Image by AnemoneProjectors– Slender Speedwell Uploaded by AnemoneProjectors, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link This perennial weed has forked taproots that grow quite deep underground. You can recognize it thanks to its broad leaves and bluish flowers that bloom during summer. It also produces a lot of seeds, which is why it’s difficult to eradicate.

Notes: The Orange Jewelweed gained half of its name from its bright orange blooms that extend up high into the sky. The second half, Jewelweed, is believed to have been given as the leaves appear silver and sparkly underwater. One of several species of wild rose, whose pink flowers decorate the hedgerows through which its thorny shoots have scrambled That’s why it’s a good idea to cut them before they produce seeds to prevent them from growing again. Dandelions also respond quite well to organic, oil-based herbicides. Daisies, with their iconic white petals and yellow centres, are common across the UK, particularly in lawns and pastures. Despite being considered a weed, they are a source of food for a variety of insects. Their flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators, while their leaves are eaten by the caterpillars of several species of moths. Hairy Bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) Description This perennial weed can get up to 2 metres and it looks fairly good. It has blue flowers, shaped like tiny bells that usually bloom in late spring or early summer.

This traditional favourite among scented flowers can be sought out among the limestone pavements of the Pennines. Beware though: this is among the common plants that are dangerous to dogs and cats. Tulips: The toxins found in this plant cause irritation to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract and usually only result in drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea. Serious cases are rare, but effects could include heart problems and breathing difficulties This plant was first described over 250 years ago by the famous Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. Sweat bees are solely responsible for pollinating this plant. 28. Broadleaf Plantain With pink buds from which tiny, white flowers emerge, this grassy weed can grow up to 60 cm. It spreads via its roots, which are brittle and white. The Enchanter’s nightshade is a perennial plant.

Notes: This plant loves cultivated land, especially where there’s manure. It has long green stems that grow upright initially then lay down once the flowers bloom. Obviously, weeds can cause many problems, despite the positives they bring to your garden. For example: Weeds overgrowing grass and plants Notes: This is typically encountered in lawns and gardens. Its spindly stems hold up a globe-shaped flowerhead comprising up to 50 flowers.It has a slight bitter and astringent flavor and odour akin to tea. This led people in the 19th century France to use the herb as a tea alternative called “thé d’Europe”. Almost without exception, these weeds can add attractive colour and texture to a flowerbed. But they will take over if left to their own devices. The most common weeds in the UK (and how to recognise them) And dandelions are attracted to the sun, so you’ll be able to see which parts of your garden get the most (and least) direct sunshine. Weeds contribute to biodiversity An opportunist in cleared ground, producing its water-filled leaves and softly tactile, lilac-ringed, egg-shaped blooms in late summer