This year, I'm doing what I've loathed in the past...I'm leaving them to grow.
The roadside in front of my house...a sea of flea bane!
Some of my neighbors with lovely manicured landscapes may be cursing me for it,
but I'm enjoying the influx of birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators
that feed on the nectar, fruit and seeds.
A favorite "weed" is the Blue Eyed Grass, Sisyrinchium atlanticum.
No way I'm mowing this beautiful bloom!
In the past, I've mowed and pulled the Spanish Needle, Bidens alba, with a vengeance.
However, I leave it now not only for the pollinators,
but for my sweet bunnies who provide me with golden "bunny blessings" (fertilizer).
It's one of their favorite foods...and it's FREE!
It's also a Florida native, relative to the aster, and serious butterfly attractor.
This pretty Tickseed, Coreopsis lanceolata, will not be mowed.
I'm happy this grows wild on my property.
The most abundant currently is the common Flea bane, Erigeron annuus.
Contrary to it's name, it does not repel fleas or insects.
I've decided they're nicer to look at than the dry dusty ground underneath,
so they're staying for now.
Tassel Weed is usually the first to go...
although the little tassels are cute little pom pons waving in the breeze.
Fortunately for the Tassel Weed, it's another favorite munchy of my bunnies.
However, once I see the colorful puffs, I pull them for the bunny buffet.
The Mexican Clover, Richardia grandiflora, is mowed
but prolifically bounces back so I have no remorse.
Pretty little pea flowers pop up as ground cover.
I always find it interesting to hear who mows and who doesn't, along with their reasons. I also enjoy hearing who purchases these "weeds" and plants them in their garden beds.
As any gardener knows, a weed is simply an unwanted plant!
