Outside of spring this is my favourite period for wild flowers: knapweed, purple loosestrife, hogweed, marsh woundwort, ragwort, rosebay willowherb, they're putting on a spectacular display at the moment.
A warning for readers in the United States: here, knapweed is a viciously successful invasive plant. Like a number of European native plants that are charming in their native habitat, it is not to be planted in the US!
Thank you, I’ll make a note to update with info for other countries in this and future articles - I’ve had a big influx of North American and Canadian readers recently so that’s a change I’ll adapt to.
I agree with Margaret; in Colorado, knapweed decimated grazing lands east of the front range of the Rockies during the 1980s and in to the early 2000s. Cattle and horses won’t touch it! Fortunately, the entomology guys at Colorado State and Iowa State universities identified natural pests that were effective against knapweed and we are out of the weeds with their help, hahaha! BTW: I love your writing and enjoy your perspectives on gardening in Great Britain!
Thanks - I’ve had lots of new followers from over your side of the world! 😄 we’re based in the UK and as the article makes clear, it’s an important wildflower here.
Spotted knapweed is considered a very strong invasive weed here in the BC Canada coast, introduced from the UK. A shame, as I can see how it would add valueto a garden -- if very carefully watched over!
I’ve really struggled to get knapweed to grow, despite having loads in fields within about 100m of my house. Will keep trying to collect seed as I love it.
It’s left. There are sometimes horses grazing but fields aren’t managed otherwise (& they are wonderful for it!). I did find one small plant in my garden (which is very overgrown), but it doesn’t seem to spread - yet - there is always hope.
So shocked to read this! Knapweed seeds stick to dog and deer fur, to my socks and clothing, and are a real nuisance. They are considered an invasive species by Oregon because they're just about impossible to stop from spreading.
Hi Larisa, as I wrote in the article, they are an indigenous species across Europe where we live. It’s a vital wildflower here. I don’t notice the seeds stick to dog and deer fur myself, certainly not more than any other wildflower seed. I can understand the issue in the US but we’re in Yorkshire.
Hello and thanks for responding! You're very lucky the seeds don't stick, because they are pretty fuchsia flowers that make a dramatic effect, especially en masse. Maybe we can trade? You can have our knapweed and we'll take yours? ;)
Outside of spring this is my favourite period for wild flowers: knapweed, purple loosestrife, hogweed, marsh woundwort, ragwort, rosebay willowherb, they're putting on a spectacular display at the moment.
Yes it’s among the most colourful right now
A warning for readers in the United States: here, knapweed is a viciously successful invasive plant. Like a number of European native plants that are charming in their native habitat, it is not to be planted in the US!
Thank you, I’ll make a note to update with info for other countries in this and future articles - I’ve had a big influx of North American and Canadian readers recently so that’s a change I’ll adapt to.
We North American gardeners love British gardeners!
The feeling is mutual 🥰
Knapweed and birdsfoot trefoil make a great pairing in our community garden. They just arrived there and look beautiful together!
How wonderful I love that
I agree with Margaret; in Colorado, knapweed decimated grazing lands east of the front range of the Rockies during the 1980s and in to the early 2000s. Cattle and horses won’t touch it! Fortunately, the entomology guys at Colorado State and Iowa State universities identified natural pests that were effective against knapweed and we are out of the weeds with their help, hahaha! BTW: I love your writing and enjoy your perspectives on gardening in Great Britain!
Thanks - I’ve had lots of new followers from over your side of the world! 😄 we’re based in the UK and as the article makes clear, it’s an important wildflower here.
Spotted knapweed is considered a very strong invasive weed here in the BC Canada coast, introduced from the UK. A shame, as I can see how it would add valueto a garden -- if very carefully watched over!
I’ve really struggled to get knapweed to grow, despite having loads in fields within about 100m of my house. Will keep trying to collect seed as I love it.
Is it cut in the year or left?
It’s left. There are sometimes horses grazing but fields aren’t managed otherwise (& they are wonderful for it!). I did find one small plant in my garden (which is very overgrown), but it doesn’t seem to spread - yet - there is always hope.
Off to scatter knapweed seed.......
😄
So shocked to read this! Knapweed seeds stick to dog and deer fur, to my socks and clothing, and are a real nuisance. They are considered an invasive species by Oregon because they're just about impossible to stop from spreading.
Hi Larisa, as I wrote in the article, they are an indigenous species across Europe where we live. It’s a vital wildflower here. I don’t notice the seeds stick to dog and deer fur myself, certainly not more than any other wildflower seed. I can understand the issue in the US but we’re in Yorkshire.
Hello and thanks for responding! You're very lucky the seeds don't stick, because they are pretty fuchsia flowers that make a dramatic effect, especially en masse. Maybe we can trade? You can have our knapweed and we'll take yours? ;)