Mugwort (Artemesia Vulgaris) Roadside Weed in NJ

Meet Mugwort!

Mugwort is also called wild chrysanthemum because of the shape of the lower leaves. The plant is a perennial that spreads rapidly by rhizomes. It is one of the most severe weeds of the nursery and landscape plantings. It, along with Japanese knotweed (bamboo), is rapidly becoming one of our worst roadside weeds because people dig it out of their plantings and drop it alongside the road. CASORON should be used to control it wherever possible. The white wooly underside of the leaf is a good ID characteristic and is visible even in the winter. It is a relative of dusty miller.
Photo and Information courtesy of RUTGERS 

It looks like goldenrod without the yellow flowers. It is the most aggressive weed and the bane of my existence. It came out of nowhere and can pop up after the earth is disturbed. I suppose mine came after I put in my septic system. It is impossible to get eradicate so I have just tried to embrace it since I don't like chemicals, but I am tempted. I have hired my tractor friend to come and mow two or three times next year with his brush hog. When it first appeared on the hillside to the left of my expansive back property, I hired weedwhackers with metal blades. It is VERY woody and the stalks can be very thick. I have tried pulling it too. Someone suggested a flame thrower and that might take care of what's above ground but not the roots and rhizomes. Down below it would continue to spread like "wildfire". If you have this weed too, you have my sincere sympathy. The best we can do is keep it cut back. xo

Today is a very somber day in the history of our country since the Twin Towers tragedy in NYC on 9/11/2001.

Bunny Mellon Embraced Friendly Weeds

Giant Mullein growing in her poolside gazebo.

Vanity Fair once described Bunny Mellon as the “high priestess of pruning and pleaching” for her devotion to gardening and personal love for pruning. While Bunny had an affinity for picking wildflowers and celebrated vegetable gardens, she loved pretty weeds as well.

Verbascum thapsus, a biennial plant, was once used as an herbal treatment for coughs, congestion, chest colds, bronchitis, and inflammation. For most of the year, the huge, furry leaves flourish under Bunny’s gazebo, stationed next to her display greenhouse. She felt that weeds were friendly, and often added to the beauty of her home, hence why the weed mullein was allowed to sprout between the stones. Its common name may have come from the Celtic term meaning yellow.

Read the entire article at Oak Spring Garden Foundation

Happy Memorial Day. It's cold, dark, and rainy here at my cottage but I don't mind. xo

The above link will lead you to my previous posts commemorating this holiday, celebrated each year on the last Monday in May.

Weeds can be beautiful too.

via Instagram http://ift.tt/29piA0g

Weeds can be beautiful too. 🔶🔶🔶  These look like little orchids.

#weeds #wildflowers #yellow #orchids #inmylawn #ig

Pansies in an Antique Planter

I had just moved this antique sewer tile planter from my back yard to the front when a friend stopped by with a small flat of pansies for me. Talk about perfect timing! Most of my gardening efforts lately have been devoted to hacking down multiflora, the most invasive, evil, non-native species ever. I go out with my boots, gloves, clippers and thick clothing for an hour or two after supper nightly. It's always something, isn't it? Have a great week. xo

My Newly Weeded Gardening Spot

I took this photo this morning. My grass is in dire need of reseeding, but that's a task for another day. I'm anxious to plant something in this bed that was nothing but giant Canadian Thistle a few days ago. We are supposed to have rain coming up from the south for 4 straight days and we really need it. See you later - I'm off to an office meeting and then must deal with some real estate paperwork.

Leaves Three, Let It Be

The leaves on the poison ivy are just starting to turn. Knock on wood, I haven't gotten a bad case this year even though it's everywhere surrounding my property. Maybe I have finally developed some sort of immunity because I know I've touched it when weeding. We did have more off and on rain and it was wonderful. xo

Wild Grape Vine

The wild grape vines are proving to be more powerful than the wild roses or multiflora on my property. Perhaps that's Mother Nature's way of taming the beast. I have always thought the shape of the leaves and the vein patterns were quite lovely. My Photo.

Have a lovely weekend. It's beautiful here at the cottage. I'm going to make an effort to do something meaningful in addition to attacking weeds, but I haven't decided what that task will be yet. xo

Webster and The Thistles

i'm sorry Webster's head is hidden behind a thistle. I picked one for my windowsill the other day but I wasn't wearing my leather gardening gloves. Ouch. They are the prickliest weed on my property. I must cut this one down before the pods explode and reseed. I hope to get some mowing in this afternoon now that it's a little cooler. See you later. xo

Webster, So Close But Not Touching

Webster is still being the best dog ever and he can get this close to the sofa without touching. I'm so proud of him. I was busy with real estate all day and finally the little blue house is all set to close at the end of the month. Whew. 

I am still playing house and have rearranged all of my artwork. The corner behind my TV has a new wall arrangement since this photo was taken. I think I have the room the way I want it finally. I've been rearranging the insides of my kitchen cupboards too. 

I ended up hand weeding the crab grass in the bed near the house and it wasn't that hard because it was growing wood chips, not gravel or turf. I've been digging it out of the driveway too with the pickaxe. I'm fine doing hard work as long as it isn't too hot and the weather has been fantastic. 

I'm looking forward to a lazy evening and maybe some ice cream later. Enjoy yours too. xo

DIY Weed Spray

I got this in my email this morning from a friend who lives nearby. I think she's trying to tell me something in a nice way. I have seen all sorts of recipes for homemade weed spray but never this one. I sprayed RoundUp on my driveway twice last year and worried about what I might be doing to my health the whole time. I was covered head to toe and had a bandana over my nose and mouth. I honestly don't think it's worthwhile because the weeds came back. This recipe has nothing harmful in it so I shall make it and let you know if it works. I have all of the ingredients on hand too, though I might have to buy more vinegar. I am so excited!

Weed-Be-Gone

1 Gallon Vinegar

2 Cups Epson Salts

1/4 Cut Dawn Dish Soap (the Blue Original)

It will kill anything you spray it on. Just mix and spray in the morning after the dew has evaporated. Walk away. Go back after dinner and the weeds are all gone!

This sounds too good to be true but it's worth a try. Have a great weekend everybody. xo

Dark Blue Skies and Free Bird Seed at My Cottage

This was the dark blue cloudless sky over the cottage this morning. The rusty colored tall foliage that fringes my property is a wonderful food source for the birds in this frigid weather.

Bird tracks in the snow. My tall weeds are in this area and the birds are eating the seeds. I never thought of them as a food source until this year. When I went out with Webster after breakfast there was lots of birdsong in the air and it really sounded like spring even though it was very cold. There were birds hopping around everywhere foraging for seeds. I have an endless supply too. The tall weeds on the bank and all around my property provide good cover for the small birds so they can eat in peace and not worry about the hawks.

Enjoy your evening and I'll see you tomorrow. xo