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Orange hawkweed

B3B3 Posts: 27,473

Found this in my garden. When I googled it, opinion varied from ' pernicious weed - shoot on sight' to 'it's a lovely plant - doesn't do any harm in my garden'.

It's growing on some bone dry inhospitable London clay. 

Should I get rid of it or leave it. Have removed flowerheads just in case. Apparently it's a self seeded and runner.

In London. Keen but lazy.

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    It's all a matter of opinion and what sort of garden you want B3. I like it. If I was trying to grow alpoines and other small plants I probably wouldn't want it



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,138

    Pretty and liked by insects image  if uncontrolled it spreads like wildfire and if it gets into your lawn image

    So ........ as you've done, take the flowerheads off before they set seed. 

    I think they clump rapidly rather than run, so just keep an eye on them and lift and divide any that look as if  they have Napoleonic intent! image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,697

    Its a gorgeous looking flower. I'd keep it. Everyone has their own opinion on weeds.....some are acceptable and some aren't but if it has arrived by itself and is growing in ghastly soil, let it get on with it.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,064

    It can be invasive if allowed to set seed but as long as you dead head it should be OK.  

    It's native to European alpine regions so likes good drainage and poor soils.   Not the sort of thing you want invading Oz or Canada or other parts of the world with their own native diversity to nurture or control.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,473

    All wildflowers welcome in my garden so long as they don't abuse my hospitality!

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114
    I love it too. Wouldn't dream of removing the flowers.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,064

    For me it would be golden rod, euphorbias, laburnums and yellow lysimachia.

    I have some orange hawkweed in pots waiting to be planted out in a slightly wild area next to my insect hotel.   It can spread where it likes in that spot and any seeds will be blown onto the adjacent boggy pasture where they won't like the conditions so it won't be a problem for neighbours.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,473

    just noticed several specimens in my 'lawn' - anything green and low-growing stays but I've dug out the hawkweed just in case. will leave it in paving cracks

    In London. Keen but lazy.
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