Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Flowers and weeds

Bindweed

I always hesitate to call any flower an actual weed, but this one is special that way: its name has "weed" right in there. These invasive morning-glory-like flowers are pretty, but when you read about this plant, you have to consider that it's more destructive than pretty. Bindweed (Convolvulus sepium) is more than just a nuisance. From that link:
Bindweed is considered to be one of the most noxious weeds in the world because of its yield-robbing practices in crops such as wheat, potatoes and legumes (beans and peas). Spreading by seed and through a deep, extensive horizontal root system, bindweed seed can persist for many years in typical garden soil.

We had a fellow resident who lived in the apartment complex for many years, and she would go out to the hedge and pull the bindweed. Apparently it takes many years of persistently doing this before it leaves for good. Our resident left before it was gone, and when I see them returning to the hedge, I think of her.

Beautiful lily (Stargazer?)

There is nothing weedy about this gorgeous flower. During the pandemic, I started a long walk on a regular basis to take the place of working out at the gym, and this is the second year I've watched this lily come into bloom. I think it's a version of the stargazer lily, since it points upward and has the most amazing fragrance, that even someone who is smell compromised (like me) can catch its strong fragrance. I've been watching it from the time it first emerged from the ground, until today when I see it's finally begun to bloom. 

Right now the trails are inundated with plenty of flowers and weeds, and they continue to give me smiles and fill me with gratitude for living here, where most times the weather doesn't keep me away. Of course, I'm used to walking in rain, but we are in the dry season now, and my eyes keep filling up with beauty! I love living here.

:-)

17 comments:

  1. Morning glory is classified as a noxious weed in much of Australia - just because of its invasive nature. My father told us that a weed was merely a flower growing where you didn't want it.
    Thanks for sharing the beauty around you.

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  2. We fight bindweed here in our garden. The other day I saw one in bloom and I extended my reach to the tipping point to pull it. No, you will not bloom here!

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  3. There is bind weed here. Pretty, but truly invasive.

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  4. Someone (prior to us) planted morning glories here - it (much like the blackberry bush) WILL not die! Every time, I notice the vine starting to appear, I yank it out. Then, I don't even toss the vexing vine into the woods - I make sure to take it in and throw it in the trashcan - because it is SO invasive.

    The stargazer lilies are so beautiful. We have a few that I cherish.

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  5. There ae many invasive plants that are very attractive and people like them. Obviously your friend was aware of the danger of this "nice" plant

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  6. Bindweed is so pretty but it wraps around other plants as if someone has wound it there. It lives in a part of the boardwalk but could easily spread.

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  7. Very pretty Lily! Yes that field bindweed is a pain in the neck:)

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  8. Stargazers are so fragrant. We once had a little clump, but they only lasted for a couple of years.

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  9. DJan, when I think about that phrase to "stop and smell the roses" it puts me in mind of you. I need to be more appreciative of the nature around me.

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  10. I didn't know that about birdweed. It's pretty to look at, though, as is the lily.

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  11. Ooh, I fought bindweed for a long time when it came compliments of my mulch. You almost have to admire its persistence.

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  12. I did not know about bindweed. In Georgia the problem is the vine kudzu; it grows very fast and is also extremely hard to get rid of. You do live in a beautiful area. Last week my daughter told me her husband, my son-in-law, was meeting his friend in Lake Tahoe for a week’s vacation this week. They are mountain bikers. She said they were going to some pretty mountains in Washington. I asked where, she said Bellingham! I was so excited that they were going to bike in your town as I knew they would have a wonderful time. I told her I have seen so many beautiful photos of Bellingham and surrounding area through you that it is very familiar. I wish I could go biking too!

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  13. I don't know why it said anonymous, it's me Vagabonde. ??

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  14. I'm not that familiar with Bindweed, but I do love Morning glories. You mentioned the aroma of the Lily... have you ever sniffed the night blooming jasmine when it opens up? It's the most heavenly aroma... even the cats in the house would gather around it.

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  15. I love to weed so I would be pulling out the bindweed. Here we have nut grass that is very difficult to control as it spreads underground with nodules as well as up to with seeds. And we have a pretty vine - Mexican creeper - with lovely pink cascading flowers, and haole koa that grows quickly into tree like bushes and is hard to kill.
    But more invasive than those plants is the concrete that new builders are using to destroy any and all greenery and plants. We are becoming a concrete jungle here in Honolulu.

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  16. That is a gorgeous lily. I wish my tended flowers would be so healthy.

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