I moved here about a year and a half ago and I’m finally getting around to dealing with the yard. I noticed last year in spring these two flowers came up and here they are again.
I noticed that the flowers in the second couple pictures attract native bumble bees which leads me to think they might be native. I’m not sure if the first ones do, though. They may and I just haven’t seen it yet.
So, can anyone tell me what these are? If they’re native I’m going to ask the lawn guys not to cut in those areas so they can continue to feed the bees until they die back.
Thanks!
by FLZooMom
7 Comments
The second group of flowers are called Deadnettle. They’re in the mint family, so despite bees liking them I eradicate them. They are not native. Up here the cornfields are purple this time of year bc there is so much of it.
Ooo, I know some of those!!!
Picture 3 is henbit; picture 4 is purple deadnettle. Neither are native to the Americas.
Muscari I believe. They’re from Greece/turkey. They’re sold as ornamentals so I guess some escaped.
EDIT: First picture that is. Didn’t notice the others
The first is [Muscari armeniacum (grape hyacinth)](https://www.thespruce.com/grape-hyacinths-1316029#:~:text=Grape%20hyacinth%20is%20invasive%20in,containers%20to%20control%20their%20spread.) and deadnettle both are not native to North America.
Personally, I would remove them and plant native spring ephemerals. Here’s a list of [spring ephemerals native to Kentucky.](https://www.kynativeplants.com/post/native-spring-ephemerals-of-kentucky)
In the PNW, over time they can spread like crazy. I’d much rather plant 2-3 species of native spring ephemerals, partly because wild populations of spring ephemerals and their pollinators can be at risk.
[Told ya](https://www.reddit.com/r/NoLawns/comments/1bm926g/comment/kwaws63/) that deadnettle was invasive here. I’m seeing it *everywhere* right now. Any little patch of dirt in an alley, anywhere.
The flower directly in front of all the dead nettle in picture 3 is henbit. The flowers look very similar but the leaves are different.
Spiderwart