Weed or flower?

Sherri
by Sherri

Does anyone know what the second picture of the plant is called. Is it a weed? They grow every year next to my phlox plant and look very similar. I usually wind up pulling them out because they don’t bloom as soon as the others. I could be pulling them out too soon If it is a flower. Anyone know if it’s a different variety of a phlox or if it’s just a weed that grows near them???

Phlox next to unidentified plant

weed or flower?

  19 answers
  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 11, 2020

    Hi Sherri, I think it may be Toadflax, it is a wild perennial, yellow & white flowers

  • Bridgie Graham Smith Bridgie Graham Smith on Jul 11, 2020

    Fire weed because is one of first returning after a blase. they also spread via roving roots.

  • Bobbie Bobbie on Jul 11, 2020

    Looks like a weed. Found these in my yard popping all over. drew the moisture out of the ground for my flowers. I did away with them!

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 11, 2020

    sorry but it looks like a weed almost resembles a gopher plant (at least that is what mine in Oregon look like but the stalks in your photo appear to be thinner).

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jul 11, 2020

    Hello. We discovered that the plant dames rocket looks much like a phlox with a master gardener client inquiry.


    Here are some links below to see if this plant matches yours and if you can confirm ID =some information about it.



    site:edu dames rocket flower


    https://www.wiscontext.org/dames-rocket-invasive-confused-phlox-common-sight-wisconsin






  • Maura White Maura White on Jul 11, 2020

    If it is dames rocket, then they bloom beautiful purple flowers. But when I first took a glance, it looked like goldenrod to me.

  • Cindy Cindy on Jul 11, 2020

    Not sure what this plant is. Next time you're pulling weeds, try leaving one or two of them to see what eventually happens. Good luck Sherri.

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Jul 12, 2020

    Hi there, it does look like a weed. An old gardener friend of ours taught us an amazing trick to try tell if something is a weed. Crush the leaves and if they smell peppery, 9 times out of ten it's a weed.

  • CindyB CindyB on Jul 12, 2020

    i have this in my yard. I think it is goldenrod. Flowers later in the summer/fall. The bees love it.

  • Nan W. Nan W. on Jul 12, 2020

    Sherri: It looks like fireweed. (which I happen to think is beautiful)

  • Carole Alden Carole Alden on Jul 13, 2020

    Could be Phlox, iris, or spiderwart. Get a clouseup if you can or scan the leave and flower of one.

  • Unexpected Elegance Unexpected Elegance on Jul 18, 2020

    It looks similar to a weed that grows in my yard?


  • Homeroad Homeroad on Jul 18, 2020

    If it flowers and is beautiful that is all that matters!

  • Peibeguming Peibeguming on Aug 18, 2023

    So, was it a flower? I think it must have been just a flower, not more

  • Timsresthilea Timsresthilea on Aug 18, 2023

    Your attention to your garden is truly admirable! Without a visual, it's a bit challenging to definitively identify the second plant. It might indeed be a different variety of phlox, or perhaps a weed that closely resembles it.

    Your caution in pulling them out too soon is wise. If you're curious to delve deeper into plant identification and gardening insights, platforms like releaf.co.uk can be quite helpful. There you can find reference pictures of various kinds of weed.

    Gardening is a delightful journey of discovery, and each plant has its own story to tell. Keep nurturing your garden, and I hope you find out more about the mystery plant alongside your phlox!

  • Mogie Mogie on Aug 18, 2023

    But when they do bloom are they pretty if so that alonge makes them a worthy addition to your garden.

  • Dee Dee on Aug 18, 2023

    Fireweed shoots can be chopped and used in salad even without blanching, but the shoots also take heat well. Try a quick, hot sauté in olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and drizzle on just a little balsamic vinegar.

    Fireweed is not a weed it is a hardy perennial, fireweed stems grow from 4 to 6 feet high but can reach a towering 9 feet. The numerous long narrow leaves scattered along the stems are the origin of the species name "angustifolium" (Latin for narrow leaved).

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Aug 18, 2023

    Off the cuff, I'd say weed, if it blooms later and is pretty, just enjoy it.

  • Definitely a weed.