Weeds amongst the daffodil beds

 

Daffnet has been so quiet – hence thses pics.
Is a weed a plant in the wrong place? These weeds were pictured to-day in or bordering my miniature/species beds. The fourth unidentified picture is of a rather attractive and icy white Ornithogalum species. When I showed it to jan Pennings a few days ago he said “it’s a terrible weed in Holland, so difficult to get rid of”. I don’t want to be rid of it but I would like to know its specific name. Anyone know? Bluebells are becoming a really attractive  pest – they jump hedges, fences and walls – there is no containing them!!
Brian Duncan

9 comments for “Weeds amongst the daffodil beds

  1. Can’t tell for sure but a bulb call Star of Bethlehem can end up producing tons of tiny bulblets. Creates a lawn type grass with a silver vein down the middle of the leaf blade. Not sure of the botanical name. Keith Kridler

  2. Looks like the Star of Bethlehem, Ornithogalum umbellatum.  Ency. says that it is a fine plant  for setting in large masses on the edge  of a woodland or wild garden, where it will form a carpet of starry flowers in early sumer, but, it tends to spread rapidly, it should not be admitted to the choice parts of a rock garden.  So enjoy it fast and contain it somehow.  B 

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  3. In a message dated 5/30/2009 9:12:45 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  title= writes:

    it should not be admitted to the choice parts of a rock garden

    Just try keeping it out!  In my Northern Virginia garden it is highly invasive and pops up at will wherever it wishes, regardless of how far away the next closest patch may be.  I’m constantly pulling it up and disposing of it — in the trash, NEVER in the compost pile!  If you don’t have it, I really don’t think you want it.
    Lina Burton

  4. Looks like Star of Bethlehem to me – some sort of ornamental that escaped and kept running. Myself, I don’t mind them, but if you’re a one species of grass lawn person, you might want to keep an eye on them as they spread amazingly fast. I think they’re featured in several Leonardo da Vinci paintings, so they’ve been around a while. Chris Durrill

  5. 

     
    Around here,  Star of Bethlehem  is usually referred to by it’s initials.
     
     
    Linda
     

  6. Thanks for all the comments about ‘Star of Bethleham’ – I had not realised it would stir such emotive comments. I have only about 5-6 plants – when it appeared as a surprise amongst my Miniature/species daffodil beds I picked it out and planted in pots – maybe wiser than I realised! It does make a lovely little pot plant and now I would like to give it freedom in a wilder part of the garden – I will bear in mind all the warnings about its thuggish habits, apparently similar to our English (and alas. Spanish) Bluebells – planted together in a wild area the Blue and white could be most attractive.
    Thanks to those who supplied the specific name – Ornithogalum umbellatum.
    Brian

  7. At the risk of impertinence, I have to say I rather like Star of Bethlehem, but with the caveat that I field grow in grass and I have no tamed beds.  I does not compete well in grass or the wilds here, and rarely blooms or spreads.  In the one small bed I have (non-daffodil) by the house, it does indeed multiple quickly. 
    I was wondering if anyone could identify the flower pictured below.  It comes up in one spot annually by the old “milk house.”  I assume planted many years ago by a former owner.  I do note some similarity to our Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum/Wood Geranium), but it is not the same.  Is it perhaps Geranium sylvaticum/Wood Cranesbill/Woodland Geranium?
    Thanks,
    Drew Mc Farland
    Granville, Ohio
    In a message dated 5/31/2009 9:02:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  title= writes:

    Thanks for all the comments about ‘Star of Bethleham’ – I had not realised it would stir such emotive comments. I have only about 5-6 plants – when it appeared as a surprise amongst my Miniature/species daffodil beds I picked it out and planted in pots – maybe wiser than I realised! It does make a lovely little pot plant and now I would like to give it freedom in a wilder part of the garden – I will bear in mind all the warnings about its thuggish habits, apparently similar to our English (and alas. Spanish) Bluebells – planted together in a wild area the Blue and white could be most attractive.
    Thanks to those who supplied the specific name – Ornithogalum umbellatum.
    Brian

     


  8. Brian,
    Don’t know the name, buy Yes that weed is horrible.  When you try to get rid of it, tiny bulblets are left behind.  I have resorted to roundup to get rid of it.  I don’t know the name either.
    Kathy

  9. That looks like Wild Geranium or Cranesbill – I have a plant like that growing in my shade garden.

    Chris Durrill

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