Find Your Ask the Expert: weed or what?
We’ve lived in our home for 2 years- the previous owner planted an extensive perennial garden in 2004 or 2005. I’m still trying to recognize the perennials each spring… so I don’t weed out the wrong things. What could this be?
I remember Hibiscus in the general area last year, and haven’t seen it this year. Could it be? The leaves don’t look right. Aside from the large cluster in the photo, two individual stems of this have popped up several feet away (where they definitely were not located last year). any help would be appreciated… amber
Amber,
I believe what you have is Ambrosia trifida commonly known as Giant Ragweed. This is not something you want in your garden.
I have a large perennial garden and I know what you mean by not wanting to pull the wrong thing.
I remember pulling up what I thought was wild geranium only to realize after the damage was done that it was the delphinium I had planted the season before. This taught me a valuable lesson . I now mark all the perennials that are a little difficult to recognize when they first come up. Your local garden center will have little plant markers that you can stick in the ground beside your perennial. This has made a big difference in my garden. Hope this helps.
Wow Jamie, thank you very much! I am severely allergic to ragweed so I had better have a friend dig this thing up at once. I really appreciate your help!