small volunteer, basal leaves only

[loris]

I think this is probably something I should pull out, but I'd like to check first. I have at least two of these in shadier parts of the garden. I think those spots are also fairly dry and difficult spots.

Thanks. -- Lori

[turttle]

Hi, Lori. I have no idea what it is, and you may need to wait until it flowers to identify it. It is hard to get stuff to grow in dry shade (I live in the woods at the top of a ridge, so I have experience with that!) My policy if I don't know what things are is to give them time to flower to identify them, but not let them go to seed before I know what they are.

[loris]

Hi turttle.

I even get a bit more daring, and let them go to seed if I'm not pretty sure they're invasive. In this case, the plant looks weedy to me so I may not. I usually find out what plants are pretty soon though.

-- Lori

[dapjwy]

Lori,

Just from my first glance, it reminds me of Erigeron--daisy fleabane. I'm not sure that is what it is, I didn't key it out; I've noticed for a while now that I base my IDs on sight recognition way too often...but, I guess as long as I'm not eating them (edibles...not daisy fleabane), the worse I can do is hurt my pride when I find I'm wrong.

If it is the Erigeron, it is a native annual that I've come to really enjoy.

[benj1]

You may be right, Dap, a native "weed" which could be kept. But, Lori, the periwinkle is another story...

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by benj1

You may be right, Dap, a native "weed" which could be kept.

I just wish I were sure.

Originally Posted by benj1

But, Lori, the periwinkle is another story...

~smile~. Good point about the Vinca minor...I let that go because I assumed she'd be removing it-- I know I have some that I've yet to remove.

...but, now that you mention it, aren't those Norway maple seeds there on the ground? Yikes! From what I understand, most native maples seeds have a "bow-legged" seed pod.

[loris]

I know I've had Daisy Fleabane before, not too far from this spot. If it's the same kind, it definitely looks very different when it's young so I'll see what happens as it gets older.

My yard is probably never going to be entirely free of invasive plants. Many were here when we bought the house and make up quite a bit of the structure of the yard. Some of them, my husband is insanely attached to. We're probably one of the few couples to have had an argument over English Ivy. I agreed to a grand-father in plants that were already here and I've been on a quest for at least five to ten years to find non-invasive ground-cover and fence-cover plants that at native or at least not invasive. Native honeysuckle and Virginia Creeper are good for sunny spots. I bought some Barren Strawberry this year, but haven't planted it yet. I still haven't found good substitutes for the difficult spots like where we have the Vinca.

I am not as hard on myself about this as many of you would be. I make the effort to move mostly in the right direction and when I buy plants try to make the best choice for the environment--it's my husband's yard too. He supports me in this most of the time, but there are exceptions.

I'm not sure if ripping old mature invasive trees and shrubs is best in terms of habitat. It's a trade off in my mind between the possibility of their spreading and the cover they provide for wildlife.

I hope nobody here will discourage me or others like me to post on this site. In this case the information is helping me keep two native plants. I almost posted to ID a rose about a month back, until I finally found a site that let me ID it as multiflora (it had never bloomed which made it more difficult). That is now out of the ground.

I think it's better for people to make informed decisions even if it's not always ideal ones. I'd give myself about a 7 out of 10 about seriousness about this. I find often if people not into this are approached with the information they get very defensive and tune out if they think this means all their exotics need to go. I've gotten people I know to at least consider these topics. I'm glad when somebody asks me to research a plant they're considering so there might be fewer invasives going forward.

-- Lori

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by loris

I know I've had Daisy Fleabane before, not too far from this spot. If it's the same kind, it definitely looks very different when it's young so I'll see what happens as it gets older.

If it blooms and you recognize it to be the daisy fleabane--or something else for that matter, I hope you will do a follow up and let us know. Thanks.

Originally Posted by loris

My yard is probably never going to be entirely free of invasive plants. Many were here when we bought the house and make up quite a bit of the structure of the yard.

I've done the same thing in regards to not wanting to lose the structure (and shelter) provided...and I've left some things for longer than I'd like. One thing I did the first few months we were here (in winter) was to remove the multiflora rose bushes, but I created brush piles with them to continue to provide shelter for birds and other wildlife. I realize being in the country, I may have more options than those in subdivisions or places with home owners associations.

I think benj1 and I were giving you a little light-hearted ribbing. Ideally, I would like to see the Vinca go...and any Norway maples...but it is your yard (and your husband's...as you pointed out). Also, I know I would struggle with removing mature trees...however, knowing that their progeny are spreading into the wild might help spur me on.

Originally Posted by loris

...I hope nobody here will discourage me or others like me to post on this site.

Coming from one of the members most likely to be labeled a purist (me ~smile~), I would be surprised to find members here discouraging others from posting...the fact that you have an interest in natives and making improvements with wildlife and the environment in mind, this forum is for you as much as anyone else.

Originally Posted by loris

I think it's better for people to make informed decisions even if it's not always ideal ones. I'd give myself about a 7 out of 10 about seriousness about this. I find often if people not into this are approached with the information they get very defensive and tune out if they think this means all their exotics need to go. I've gotten people I know to at least consider these topics. I'm glad when somebody asks me to research a plant they're considering so there might be fewer invasives going forward.

-- Lori

I agree that turning people off from our message does nothing to help promote a worthy cause....and I'm glad to know that people are consulting you about such things. You are making a difference.

[loris]

Thanks dapjwy. email and Internet can be a bit hard to detect humor from . I have come across purists (and was closer to one myself for a while) that see it as all or nothing.

[benj1]

Originally Posted by loris

Native honeysuckle and Virginia Creeper are good for sunny spots.

Virginia Creeper is classified as a full to part-shade plant; remember how it grows nicely on the north side of things. Can't say that I've seen it growing in the shade of a Norway maple, but it would be worth a try.

I apologize for forgetting the on my previous post; I just like to rattle cages now and then.