Spring 2024 – The Beauty of Weeds – Dorset Wildlife Trust Magazine

The Beauty of Weeds

It’s that time of year when you might be thinking of weeding the garden to prepare for planting but, although often dismissed as unruly intruders, weeds are essentially plants in the wrong place. Tony Bates, MBE and former Chair of Dorset Wildlife Trust asks us to stop for a moment and take a closer look at the flowers that we class as weeds, and the important role they play in pollination and biodiversity.

The type of weeds that we have in our garden will depend very much on the soil type and what is growing nearby. When you look closely, their flowers often have a beautiful form providing an important nectar source for small insects at the bottom end of the food chain, and therefore play a key role in the ecosystem. Later in the season, their seeds have an array of fascinating and diverse structures which provide an additional food source for many species. So, why not get your hand lens out or switch your mobile to macro and have a look!

Of course, the issue for gardeners is that most of the plants classed as weeds produce exceptionally large quantities of seed which find their way into gardens through natural means of dispersal. In addition, weeds such as nettles and couch grass have extensive root systems which spread quickly and are difficult to remove. But leaving those aside, let’s look at a few examples of other plants which find their way into gardens, onto waste land and in cracks between paving stones. Appreciating their beauty involves a shift in perspective and an acknowledgement of the inherent value of every plant in its ecological context.

These common plants can pop up in all the different habitats found in a typical garden:

Borders

Changing forget-me-not

(Myosotis discolor)

With tiny flowers 2-3 mm which open from a coil and change from yellow to blue as they age.

Germander or bird’s eye speedwell

(Veronica chamaedrys)

With brilliant blue 10mm diameter flowers.

Common field speedwell

(Veronica persica)

A smaller straggly plant with subtle guidelines on the petals.

Scarlet pimpernel

(Anagallis arvensis)

With a vividly-coloured flower.

Lawns

Self heal

(Prunella arvensis)

If allowed to flower between mowing, this plant forms a colourful patch in the lawn.

Thyme-leaved speedwell

(Veronica serpillifolia)

Can form charming small patches with delicate 5mm diameter blue flowers.

Black medick

(Medicago lupulina)

Also forms patches with small, multi-headed pea flowers and black seeds.

Long grass and rough ground

Cat’s-ear

(Hypochaeris radicata)

A resilient favourite with flower beetles, which relish its abundant pollen.

Wild teasel

(Dipsacus fullonum)

This statuesque plant is possibly not thought of as a weed, but it will spread rapidly once established.

Hogweed

(Heracleum sphondyllium)

A tall stout plant and another favourite with insects. Its winged seeds help with wind dispersal.

Hedges and shaded areas

Herb Bennet

(Geum urbanum)

A hedge bank plant that easily finds its way into shaded areas of the garden.

Enchanter’s nightshade

(Circaea lutetiana)

A charming, shade-loving woodland plant with sticky seed hooks which easily find their way into your socks.

American Willowherb

(Epilobium ciliatum)

A recent invader from Northern America now frequently found in gardens in southern counties. The simple flower produces a multitude of seeds dispersed in the wind by fine hairs.