Garden Question

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Deb
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Garden Question

Post by Deb »

When we bought our house, we were blessed with beautiful, established gardens throughout the side and back yards. I am SO not a gardener, but I am trying to learn, and have been working hard to at least maintain them. This year, this "mystery (at least to me) plant" appeared over in the herb garden. It wasn't there last year. It's huge and I have no clue what it could be! If anyone can help identify, I would so greatly appreciate it.
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Manalto
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Re: Garden Question

Post by Manalto »

It's pokeweed, Phytolacca americana. Wikipedia has a good entry on it.

You can post garden questions in Park Avenue. "Park" - get it? They're so clever here...

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Deb
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Location: Ohio

Re: Garden Question

Post by Deb »

Thank you so much! I was going nuts, trying to find it through google. Used every search term I could think of!

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Casey
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Re: Garden Question

Post by Casey »

perennial weed which freely reproduces. Has a taproot that has to be dug out. purple berries stain clothes, skin.
Casey
The artist formerly known as Sombreuil

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Deb
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Location: Ohio

Re: Garden Question

Post by Deb »

Thank you Casey! They must have cut it down last yr., right before we moved in because it wasn't there when we got the house. Not sure if we'll try to dig it out, or just keep cutting it down.

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Manalto
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Re: Garden Question

Post by Manalto »

It's not that hard to dig out; sometimes the root will even come out with a good tug. Then you're done - until the birds deliver more. Pokeweed isn't aggressive like Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica). This is one of those weeds whose life I may spare - if it's not in a terribly awkward place - for its ornamental value.

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Deb
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Location: Ohio

Re: Garden Question

Post by Deb »

Unfortunately, it is in an awkward place. Otherwise I agree . it's a very pretty weed!

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Manalto
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Re: Garden Question

Post by Manalto »

Don't worry, there will be another one.

Olson185
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Re: Garden Question

Post by Olson185 »

Okay. So I don't need to ask what this is:

Image

But now I know I don't want it.
~James

Fourth generation in a family of artists, engineers, architects, woodworkers, and metalworkers. Mine is a family of Viking craftsmen. What we can't create, we pillage, and there's nothing we can't create. But, sometimes, we pillage anyway.

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Manalto
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Re: Garden Question

Post by Manalto »

"Weed" is a flexible designation. If you like it, it's not a weed.

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